The Top Solar States in 2020

2019 was a great year for solar panel installations in the United States. Residential solar panel installations surpassed expectations, and per usual, some states did much better than others. Here’s the ranking of the top states regarding solar panel installations throughout the United States.

#1 California

Solar in California is still firmly in the first place, Throughout all of the data in 2019, solar in California is only growing. A big reason for this success is the bills that are put in place in that state starting January 1, 2020, the new solar power mandate in California was put in effect. This new bill has helped accelerate solar panel installations in 2019.  

As of 2019, California has 1,098,951 solar panel installations. Currently, the state gets 19.89% of its electricity from solar power. California has installed 27,405.89 Megawatts (MW) of solar power, which is enough solar power to power 7,688,518 homes, and it is projected in the next 5 years to remain ranked #1, due to the expectation that it is adding 15,626 MW of solar power. The state has invested $66,132.79 million in solar power, and the cost of solar has fallen 38% in the past 5 years. The solar power industry has created 74,355 jobs in the state, 1,482 of them are solar installer/developer jobs.

One of the notable solar panel installations in California is the Topaz Solar Farm. This solar power system contains photovoltaic solar panels and is capable of generating 550 MW of solar power, which is enough to power 142,000 homes in California.

#2 North Carolina

Solar in North Carolina has grown rather quickly, thanks to the new Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard (REPS). The state is now a leader utility-scale solar panel installation, and it is projected to have a strong future in the solar power industry.

Solar in North Carolina has continued to grow. The state currently has 14,795 solar panel installations, and North Carolina currently gets 5.73% of its electricity from solar power. North Carolina currently has 6,152.27 MW of solar power installed, which is enough to provide 722,751 homes with electricity and is projected to add 4,149 MW of solar power in the next 5 years, making it fall to three slots to the 5th ranking. North Carolina has invested $8,681.25 million in solar power, and the industry has provided the state with 6,617 jobs, 131 of which are solar installers/developers.

There are a few notable solar panel installations in North Carolina, one, in particular, being the Carol Jean Solar in Walnut Cove. The solar panel installation is 4 MW, the solar panel installation can provide power to more than 451 homes.

#3 Arizona

The abundance of sunshine that Arizona receives makes solar in Arizona is no brainier. But the solar power market in Arizona has been a rocky one.

Solar in Arizona is continuing to grow, even though the incentives in the state are limited. There are currently 153,239 solar panel installations, and Arizona currently gets 6.63% of its electricity from solar power. Arizona currently has 4,645.95 MW of solar power installed, which is enough to provide solar power to 778,421 homes, and it is projected to add 3,040 MW of solar power in the next 5 years, expecting the state to fall four slots into the 9th ranking. Arizona has invested $12,451.91 million in solar power. The solar power industry has created 7,777 solar jobs, 241 of those jobs are solar installers/developers.

There are plenty of notable solar power systems in Arizona, one of which is Solana, The solar power system isn’t a photovoltaic solar panel installation, it’s a 250 MW concentrated solar power, which is enough solar power to power over 65,000 homes in the state.

#4 Texas

Solar in Texas is growing as the economy in Texas continues to grow. The Lone Star state has implemented environmental regulations and various market pressures have helped increase solar panel installations in the state.

Solar in Texas has grown considerably due to the fact Texas is known for having a ton of oil. The state currently has 63,466 solar panel installations, but Texas currently gets 1.10% of its electricity from solar power. Texas currently has 4,324.28 MW of solar power installed, which is enough to provide 498,637 homes with solar power. The state is projected to add 13,311 MW in the next 5 years, projecting the state to move into the 2nd slot. Texas has installed $6,087.59 million in solar power, and the solar power industry has created 10,261 jobs, 298 of the jobs are solar installers/developers.

One of the most notable solar panel installations is going to be the 95 MW, Alamo Solar Farm 5. This solar power system is located in Uvalde and is one of the biggest solar panel installations in Texas. The solar panel installation generates enough electricity for 10,658 homes.