Comprehensive survey of solar installations shows rapid progress in leading cities
BOSTON — The top nine U.S. urban areas for solar power have more solar installations than the entire country 10 years ago, according a new study from Environment America Research & Policy Center. The report can be found here Shining Cities 2022 – The Top U.S. Cities For Solar EnergyThe eighth edition of America’s most comprehensive survey on installed solar PV capacity in major U.S. towns is called.
The survey analyzed data from December 2021, and found that the United States currently has 121.4 gigawatts installed solar photovoltaic (PV). That’s enough solar energy for more than 23 million homes. The paper also showed that 15 major U.S. towns saw a tenfold rise in their solar capacity between 2014-2020.
In 1970, the very first Earth Day, solar power was still in its infancy. Suzan Rakov, chair of Environment America Research & Policy Centers clean-energy program, said:It was a dream to be able affordably power a home with solar energy. This pipe dream has become a reality thanks to the efforts of governments, industry, consumers and others. This report shows how far our major cities are on their journey to harness the immense power of sunlight. Each of these shining, green cities has contributed to the protection of our environment and clean air. This is something to be proud and built upon on Earth Day and every day thereafter.
These are the five top-ranking solar PV capacity per capita leaders:
Leaders in per capita solar power by region include Honolulu, Las Vegas, the Mountain region, Indianapolis, the North Central region, San Antonio, the South Central region, Washington, D.C., and Burlington, the Northeast region.
The five top cities for total solar PV capacity are:
The report contains policy recommendations for federal, state, and local policymakers who are interested in supporting the growth of solar power.
Local leaders play a crucial role in helping communities reap the solar power benefits. Adrian PforzheimerFrontier Group’s lead author and policy analyst, Jeremy.They have many tools that can help solar thrive, including committing 100% to renewable energy, using a simplified online permitting process and fair compensation for rooftop solar owners who share their clean electricity with their neighbors.
Recent attacks on pro-solar policies such as net-energy billing, which credits solar owners with the clean electricity they provide back to the grid, have been made in several states. California’s Public Utilities Commission is one example. Recently reviewedA proposal that would have imposed high fixed charges on solar customers and reduced the credit customers receive to pay for excess energy. These policies have hampered the market for solar installations in areas where they have been implemented.
The best thing about this report is the fact that it’s not just the sunniest places that are named Solar Superstars. Johanna Neumann, senior researcher at Environment America Research & Policy Centers Campaign For 100% Renewable Energy, said. Strong, pro-solar policies in cities have helped solar take off, even in the rainy Pacific Northwest. No matter how sunny a city is, it can position itself to harness the unlimited, non-polluting sun’s energy. We need to continue the momentum of the incredible progress made by solar energy in order to achieve energy independence.
