With more homes and businesses throughout the U.S. hooked up to solar panels than ever before, combating environmental challenges has clearly become a serious goal for both home and business owners.
As one of the most popular and effective solutions to green energy, solar power has become more affordable with every passing year, and the following states are doing a great job of harnessing the clean energy solar power provides them with:
In at the top spot: CALIFORNIA
It’s perhaps little surprise to most that this sun soaked state is leading the way in solar energy production, and with a goal of reaching 100% renewable energy by the year 2045, California plays host to around 40% of the entire country’s solar capacity.
With homeowners offered plentiful incentives to start using solar power, this is also the first state to demand that all newly constructed homes have solar panels installed.
Coming in a close 2nd: TEXAS
With a policy mandating that all investor-owned utilities generate a percentage of their retail electricity (12.5%) using sources that are renewable, a surge of investment in solar power followed, and multiple solar farms have been created on huge scales.
With solar infrastructure in the state continuing to grow, there’s no reason why Texas can’t hold on to it’s 2nd place position in the solar race for the foreseeable future.
In 3rd place: ARIZONA
Another front-runner in the era of solar energy production, sunny Arizona has both the climate, and abundance of sunlight that strongly favors solar power. As such, solar power is truly flourishing in the state, thanks to a number of tax exemptions and local incentives made available to all homeowners installing solar panels. Giving residents of Arizona the chance to offset their energy costs significantly, and with a Renewable Energy Standard of 15% set as a target for 2025, solar power in the state is proving increasingly popular.
In at no.4: NEVADA
Playing host to vast landscapes of desert, Nevada’s natural environment is ideal for generating solar energy. And with the state’s government being active promoters of renewable energy, its Renewable Portfolio Standard demands that a whopping 50% of all electricity be generated from sources that are renewable by the year 2030. Add that to the incentives homeowners can take advantage of when they install solar panel systems, including net metering, and you’ve got a state that remains a real player in the realms of solar energy.
Taking the 5th spot: FLORIDA
It seems only right that the so-called ‘sunshine state’ is high up on the list of states using solar energy to power its homes and businesses. With its solar industry having witnessed swift growth in recent years, the abundance of sunlight and numerous incentives have allowed Florida to set some ambitious goals for clean energy use.
With the spotlight firmly trained on sustainability as we approach the midway point of 2024, there can be absolutely no doubt that many more states will continue to encourage and support the use of solar power systems for homes and businesses.
To find out if your home or business is suitable for a solar energy system, reach out to a local, trusted provider for more guidance, and check government resources online for further details of possible incentives and tax exemptions for clean energy adoption.
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