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These Nine U.S. cities are at the forefront the nation’s solar upswing

5 min read

Sustainable Planet
These Nine U.S. cities are at the forefront the nation’s solar upswing
Source: FrontierGroup

Together, nine cites spread across the States are generating more solar power between them than the entire country did just a decade ago.

Frontier Group’s Shining cities 2022

Nine cities — Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas, Honolulu, San Antonio, New York, Phoenix, San Jose, and Albuquerque — now have the collective capacity to generate nearly 3.5 gigawatts of power through solar, more than the entire country did a decade ago, according to a new report. 

Los Angeles is leading the way with the most solar capacity of any city, but Honolulu has by far the most solar capacity per capita. Across the country, solar has been expanding rapidly, and the U.S. now has enough solar panels to generate 121.4 gigawatts of power, capable of powering more than 23 million homes. Scroll down for facts and photos — Grist

Frontier Group’s annual survey of solar energy in cities shows that with supportive policies, every American city can become a “Solar Superstar.” Pictured, the San Antonio skyline beyond rows of solar panels. Photo: The University of Texas at San Antonio.
Solar power is growing rapidly in America’s cities, helping move the country toward a future of 100% renewable energy. Frontier Group’s annual survey of solar energy in cities shows that with supportive policies, every American city can become a “Solar Superstar.” Pictured, the San Antonio skyline beyond rows of solar panels. Photo: The University of Texas at San Antonio. Source: FrontierGroup
The 67 cities in this report have added more than 1,500 megawatts (MW) of solar in the past two years. In 2014, eight cities had more than 50 watts of solar capacity per resident installed; now, 34 cities exceed that threshold. Pictured, Solar on a former Jeep factory in Detroit. Photo credit, design and construction by Michigan Solutions of Commerce Michigan.
U.S. cities are turning to solar power for reliable, pollution-free energy that is cost- competitive with electricity generated by fossil fuels. The 67 cities in this report have added more than 1,500 megawatts (MW) of solar in the past two years. In 2014, eight cities had more than 50 watts of solar capacity per resident installed; now, 34 cities exceed that threshold. Pictured, Solar on a former Jeep factory in Detroit. Photo credit, design and construction by Michigan Solutions of Commerce Michigan. Source: FrontierGroup
Among the 56 cities included in every edition of “Shining Cities,” 15 have increased their solar capacity at least tenfold from 2014 to 2022. With over 100 watts of solar installed per person, 19 cities have reached the rank of “Solar Superstar.” Pictured, Sun Light & Power Student housing at the California College of the Arts, San Francisco. Photo: Marc Kollar.
Solar Superstars lead the way — the top nine cities in this year’s report have more solar power capacity installed than the entire U.S. did 10 years ago. Among the 56 cities included in every edition of “Shining Cities,” 15 have increased their solar capacity at least tenfold from 2014 to 2022. With over 100 watts of solar installed per person, 19 cities have reached the rank of “Solar Superstar.” Pictured, Sun Light & Power Student housing at the California College of the Arts, San Francisco. Photo: Marc Kollar. Source: Marc Kollar/FrontierGroup
Cities are major sources of electricity demand, and with millions of suitable rooftops, they are capable of being major sources of solar power production as well. The cities in our rankings have shown lots of progress in recent years – yet every city still has room to expand their solar capacity many times over.
Every city can “Go Solar” — Leading solar cities can be found in every region of the country, from New England to California. Cities are major sources of electricity demand, and with millions of suitable rooftops, they are capable of being major sources of solar power production as well. The cities in our rankings have shown lots of progress in recent years – yet every city still has room to expand their solar capacity many times over. Source: FrontierGroup
Leaders in per capita solar capacity by census region include Honolulu in the Pacific region, Las Vegas in the Mountain region, Indianapolis in the North Central region, San Antonio in the South Central region, Washington, D.C.,in the South Atlantic region, and Burlington in the Northeast region. Pictured: Lincoln, United States.
Leading solar cities can be found in every region of the country. Leaders in per capita solar capacity by census region include Honolulu in the Pacific region, Las Vegas in the Mountain region, Indianapolis in the North Central region, San Antonio in the South Central region, Washington, D.C.,in the South Atlantic region, and Burlington in the Northeast region. Pictured: Lincoln, United States. Source: Unsplash/American Public Power Association
Over the past few years, many states have considered or passed rollbacks to net metering – the critical practice of crediting solar energy customers for the excess energy they supply to the grid. Pictured: Loveland, United States.
Fossil fuel interests and some utilities are working to slow the growth of distributed solar energy. Over the past few years, many states have considered or passed rollbacks to net metering – the critical practice of crediting solar energy customers for the excess energy they supply to the grid. Pictured: Loveland, United States. Source: Unsplash/American Public Power Association
These changes undermine the value of solar power and can stall cities’ development of their solar resources.
Additionally, some states and utilities continue to target solar customers with special fees, charges and rate designs in order to reduce the appeal and financial promise of installing solar panels. These changes undermine the value of solar power and can stall cities’ development of their solar resources. Source: Unsplash/American Public Power Association
We focus on problems that arise from our nation’s material and technological wealth – the problems of abundance. We deliver timely research and analysis that is accessible to the public, applying insights gleaned from diverse fields of knowledge to arrive at new paths forward. For more information about Frontier Group, please click link ?
Frontier Group provides information and ideas to build a healthier, more sustainable America. We focus on problems that arise from our nation’s material and technological wealth – the problems of abundance. We deliver timely research and analysis that is accessible to the public, applying insights gleaned from diverse fields of knowledge to arrive at new paths forward. For more information about Frontier Group, please click link ? Source: FrontierGroup.org

Frontier group’s policy recommendations

To take advantage of the nation’s vast solar energy potential and move America toward 100% renewable energy, research think-tank Frontier Group suggest city, state and federal governments should adopt a series of strong pro-solar policies.

FRONTIER GROUP’S POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS 

Cities can most effectively promote solar power when local, state and utility policies work together. To take full advantage of cities’ solar energy potential – and move closer to a future of 100% renewable energy:

LOCAL GOVERNMENTS SHOULD, AMONG OTHER THINGS:

Set a goal and plan to use 100% renewable energy, and use online tools like SolarAPP+ to make the permitting process for solar installations easy, quick and affordable.

STATE GOVERNMENTS SHOULD, AMONG OTHER THINGS:

Adopt and preserve strong net metering policies that support solar energy and expand opportunities for people to benefit from solar through rebate and financing programs, community solar and virtual net metering. States should also implement policies that support energy storage, EV charging and microgrids.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD, AMONG OTHER THINGS:

Extend the Solar Investment Tax Credit, restore it to 30% and expand it to include battery storage installations. Federal investments should continue to support research to drive continued innovation in solar energy. 

Download the full report – ‘Shining Cities 2022: The Top U.S. Cities for Solar Energy’ here.

Source: FrontierGroup

In order to meet climate goals, the U.S. must replace fossil fuels with renewable energy sources — such as solar — and also generate much more power so that we can electrify the transportation sector, homes and other buildings, and more. Pictured: Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System, Nipton, CA, USA.
While solar has grown dramatically, challenges remain. In order to meet climate goals, the U.S. must replace fossil fuels with renewable energy sources — such as solar — and also generate much more power so that we can electrify the transportation sector, homes and other buildings, and more. Pictured: Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System, Nipton, CA, USA. Source: Unsplash/James Rathmell
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