Top States For Solar Power

[Jason]

10. Massachusetts--Capacity 8 megawatts
09. Oregon--Capacity 8 megawatts
08. Connecticut--Capacity 9 megawatts
07. Hawaii--Capacity 14 megawatts
06. New York--Capacity 22 megawatts
05. Arizona--Capacity 25 megawatts
04. Nevada--Capacity 34 megawatts
03. Colorado--Capacity 36 megawatts
02. New Jersey--Capacity 70 megawatts
01. California--Capacity 528 megawatts

quite the difference between 1 and 2.

slideshows here: http://www.cnbc.com/id/33228329/

[Morris]

Good list but the incentives in each of those states must be worthwhile for those capacities to be reached.

[Mike90250]

I'm not sure what the "per person" rate is, but Calif sure has a lot more roofs suitable for PV than other states, heck, LA likely has population larger than some of the states.

[Sunking]

Well what is interesting to note is California numbers. California is by far the largest producer of solar energy, but not all is Rosy for California. There have been no new power plants built in California for 20 years, forcing California to import electricity from neighboring states. In 2000 California imported roughly 12% of its electricity before the solar boom. Ten years later in the middle of the solar boom California now imports 25% of their electricity and has some of the highest electric rates in the nation, not too mention is bankrupt.

California energy policy is modeled after Germany Energy policy and has followed about the same course resulting in ever increasing energy imports and ever higher electric rates forcing businesses to reexamine energy cost and relocating to where energy cost are much lower taking those jobs and tax revenue with them.

What California, Germany, and many US States have failed to do is for every watt of renewable energy installed, they have not built a conventional generation plant to replace the RE sources at a moments notice. Eventually what will happen is demand will exceed supply. When that happens there will be blackouts. Already happened to California before, but that was minor compared to what is coming.

[solite]

I'm amazed NJ is on that list! Here in NY solar power is really RARE! I always thought it was because of the solar scale being in the lower end, and the cloudyness. I hopw NY gets in that list some day!

[Sunking]

I'm amazed NJ is on that list! Here in NY solar power is really RARE! I always thought it was because of the solar scale being in the lower end, and the cloudyness. I hopw NY gets in that list some day!

NJ is on the list for laws they passed to pay all installers state wages for union electricians of $55 per hour, even if they are undocumented citizens who work as roofers for minimum wage. Then they appropriated tax payers funds with your Grand Children's money to fund your solar system with tax dollars they do not have. What a deal, pass the meatballs please.

[solite]

NJ is on the list for laws they passed to pay all installers state wages for union electricians of $55 per hour, even if they are undocumented citizens who work as roofers for minimum wage. Then they appropriated tax payers funds with your Grand Children's money to fund your solar system with tax dollars they do not have. What a deal, pass the meatballs please.

Wow my son is an electrician and out of work here in NYC I should tell him about this, though I have no clue if he will have to go through any licensing issues beforehand. Thank you for that info!

[Sunking]

Wow my son is an electrician and out of work here in NYC I should tell him about this, though I have no clue if he will have to go through any licensing issues beforehand. Thank you for that info!

A license will not be the issue. The issue will be the local union hall and getting their blessing (card) for an outsider coming into their turf taking work from their out of work members. What NJ has done is wrote a Law that stipulates for residence to qualify for state rebates and incentives is they have to use local union labor.

[altenerg]

Has this list been updated? I think Arizona, Nevada and Colorado all have increases in last 6+ months

[IntelligentEnvironmental]

This is a very interesting list. I think its interesting that Mass. and Conn. is on the list but states like Texas are not on the list. Its interesting to see that actual solar capabilities are are major factor but can be overcome by incentives and public perception.

[Carlo]

NJ is up to about 181 megawatts as of last month. (http://www.njcleanenergy.com/renewab...ary-technology)

I know of a few new installations within 10 miles of my house that have added another megawatt combined in the last 2 weeks alone.

[Morris]

Check out this national survey done regarding the top states for solar power: http://www.alternativeenergyfoundati...ected-results/

Looks like PA and DE should be on the list as well...