Houston Chronicle

WESLACO, Texas (AP) — The 1,316 solar panels at Weslaco's southern wastewater treatment plant gleamed in the heat June 27 — their second day on the job. When the panels were officially plugged in last week, the facility went from being an energy consumer to a self-supporting energy generator.

"We did see the meter turn backward here — when you're producing more energy than you're using and your energy company will pay you back," said Eric Kay, technician specialist and master electrician with Meridian Solar, which installed the panels.