Phoenix shines brightly when it comes to solar energy, report finds
Apr 11, 2019, 4:29 AM
(SRP Photo)
(SRP Photo)
PHOENIX – Arizona’s largest city is a shining star when it comes to solar energy, according to an environmental policy group.
Phoenix ranked in the top 10 nationally in two measures of solar energy capacity in the Environment America Research and Policy Center’s Shining Cities 2019 report, which was released Tuesday.
Phoenix was No. 3 for total solar photovoltaic capacity installed and No. 6 for solar photovoltaic capacity per capita.
“I am proud that Phoenix is third in the nation for the amount of solar installed,” Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said in a press release from Environment Arizona, a project of Environment America. “The Southwest is the sunniest region in the country, so there is more work to be done to fully capitalize on this resource.
We just released this year’s #ShiningCities report, showing the top U.S. cities for #solarpower. How did our capitol rank? @CityofPhoenixAZ has the 6th most solar capacity per capita and the 3rd most solar installed out of the country’s major cities! https://t.co/A46ivjq9mo pic.twitter.com/4hkADc4uRs
— Environment Arizona (@EnvironmentAZ) April 9, 2019
“The city of Phoenix is leading by example with more solar installed on city property than any other city in the U.S., and we have plans to install even more.”
According to the report, Phoenix’s solar capacity more than doubled between 2013 and 2018.
“Each year we harness more and more of the enormous solar energy potential in Phoenix,” Bret Fanshaw, director of Environment Arizona and Environment America’s Go Solar campaign, said in the release.
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“We still have a long way to go, but leaders like Phoenix are taking the steps necessary to power more homes, schools and businesses with clean energy from the sun.”
Environment America’s sixth annual report examined solar capacity in 69 cities at the end of 2018.
In total capacity, Phoenix trailed only No. 1 Los Angles and No. 2 San Diego.
In per-capita capacity, Honolulu led the way, followed by San Diego and San Jose, California.
