Considering Texas' largest solar farm

PFLUGERVILLE (KXAN) - Hundreds of acres of farmland in northeast Travis County could become Texas’ largest solar farm.

An India-based company, RRE Austin Solar, bought 600 acres of farmland about 15 miles east of Pflugerville. The site sits on the southwest corner of  the Manda-Carlson Road and Felder Lane intersection. The idea is to install enough solar panels to produce at least 60 megawatts of electricity an hour. Nearby LCRA transmission lines would take the energy to the electrical grid for utility companies to purchase it.

“A normal house uses between 1,000 to 1,500 kilowatts of electricity,” said Pflugerville Mayor Jeff Coleman. “This is 60 megawatts. So what that means is this plant will produce enough energy to give electricity to the entire City of Pflugerville for one year.”

The Elgin Independent School District (ISD ) has signed tax abatement agreement with RRE Austin Solar. The City of Pflugerville agreed not to annex the property.

In exchange for not annexing the solar plant once it’s running, RRE Austin Solar will give Pflugerville $750,000 worth of solar panels and wind turbines to install on city buildings. The new equipment will help lower the city’s operation costs.

“We’re always trying to lower costs and eventually that’ll lower tax rates,” said Coleman.

The company will also pay the city $2.5 million over the course of the 30 year contract.

The project won’t get off the ground, though, unless Travis County also jumps on board.

Travis County Commissioner Sarah Eckhardt says RRE Austin Solar wants significant tax rebates. She says the board is considering the project but they have to consider job creation, the cost benefit ratio and how this solar farm will impact future projects.

The plant will create 200 to 300 construction jobs but once it is up and running, it’ll only employ around five workers.

Those living nearby the site also have a few concerns.

"I moved here 40 years ago for the privacy, quietness and good neighborhood,” said Glenda Samuelson who lives across the street from the site. “My fear is if this comes in I may not have that.”

Coleman says once they get the go-ahead RRE Austin Solar is hoping to break ground by the end of the year.