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Which are Worst and Best Places in USA for Solar Energy in 2024
California, North Carolina, and New Jersey are the best places in USA for solar energy. However, states such as West Virginia and Kentucky have low solar potential, while other states lie somewhere in between. With climate change posing a threat to our planet, there is an urgency to transition to renewable forms of energy like solar energy. In fact, in the past year (2023), there has been a 30% increase in solar panel adoptions.
If you are also planning to establish solar farms or pursue solar-related projects, understanding about best, and worst states and the factors affecting them is very important. So, what part of the US is best for solar panels? Why do some states in the USA produce more solar energy while others don’t?
The answer is hidden in many factors affecting solar energy adoption, such as the availability of sunlight, government regulatory policies, and the infrastructure needed for solar energy production and distribution.
In this handy guide, we will tell you about the worst and best places in USA for solar energy solutions and discover challenges faced by the other regions. Let’s start with a list of the best states.
10 Best Places in USA for Solar Energy:
With tons of sunlight available in many regions of the United States, several states have become leaders in solar energy production in USA. Factors such as weather conditions, supportive government policies, and incentives help them in promoting solar installations. Here’s a list of the 10 best places in USA for solar energy:
1. California Being the leader in the production of solar energy in the United States, California is blessed with abundant sunshine as well as favorable laws to support the development of solar. It contains more solar farms than any other state and produces some serious solar power. The state has been aggressive in its goals for renewable energy, so solar investments can find no better place than there.
2. North Carolina North Carolina surprised many as it appeared to be a leading producer of solar energy. It, too, enjoys several sunny days, as well as tax credits and incentives which make solar energy more attractive. North Carolina was ranked fourth in the country regarding installed solar capacity through the end of 2021; it is evidence of its pursuit of clean energy.
3. New Jersey New Jersey is one of the stronger players in the solar energy scene, mainly through rooftop home installations. The state has numerous programs and initiatives that encourage solar energy, from commercial projects to others. This has helped the state take the lead in the amount of capacity built in the setup for solar energy.
4. Colorado With over 300 sunny days a year, Colorado is one of the sunniest states in the nation making it one of the best places in USA for solar energy production. The mild climate is well suited for solar energy and permits the running of solar panels with maximum efficiency. Ideal policies for the growth of solar installations are also hosted in the state, making it an attractive place for solar development.
5. Nevada Nevada ranks the second state in the country in the largest solar farms behind California. The state boasts sufficient sunlight and available acreage for installations. Though Nevada has faced some problems of local opposition, the state still retains considerable opportunities for growth in solar energy.
6. Florida Known as the Sunshine State, Florida has generally warm temperatures averaging about 72°F throughout the year, which reflects a perfect circumstance for using solar energy. There is plenty of sunshine, limitless commitment to renewable energy, and even a good share of work on land; these all make Florida a promising location for solar development.
7. Arizona Arizona is one of the sunniest and best states in USA for solar energy production. Although some places get really hot, it is milder in most areas, so it can use solar energy well. The state has already produced some solar energy and has already been providing their neighboring California.
8. New Mexico New Mexico is said to have many sunny days; hence, New Mexico is a good place from which solar energy can be generated. The state is aggressively building up capacity in the area of the solar sector. It is also interested in promoting renewable energy as part of its energy policy.
9. Texas Texas is a gigantic potential state for solar energy, and it heads the list in terms of the extent of the capacity for solar power. Even though the state has not made significant strides in the adoption of solar energy up to now because of insufficient regulatory clarity, the state has already begun investing significantly more in solar projects. As a result of its huge expanse of land spaces with sunny climates, Texas can broadly extend its solar energy production.
10. Massachusetts Massachusetts has maintained some of the most robust policies that enhance support for solar panel installation, especially for residential systems. The state has invested a lot of itself in the implementation of solar projects and continues to promote clean energy initiatives, hence becoming the leader on the East Coast on solar energy.
Worst Places in USA for Solar Energy There are many of the best states in USA for solar energy production. However, a few states are less suitable for solar energy development, which you can avoid.
Here is a list of them: 1. West Virginia Normally, West Virginia happens to be one of the least favorable states in USA for solar energy. There is very little sunlight on the ground, and mountainous areas make it challenging to find suitable sites for creating solar farms. Moreover, the state historically relied mostly on coal, so there are fewer incentives for renewable energy development.
2. Kentucky Similar to West Virginia, Kentucky holds low potential in USA for solar energy due to heavy cloud cover and mountainous regions. Though new solar initiatives are on the horizon, a lack of aggressive state policies and incentives spells doom for solar projects.
3. Alaska Even with the penetration of some sunlight throughout the summer seasons, very long winters and extreme colds can interfere with the generation of solar energy in the Alaska state of the USA. It becomes even more difficult to develop solar in the state due to remote places and high costs of installation.
4. North Dakota North Dakota has very severe winters, and the sun exposure is lessened by the shorter days, which makes it somewhat challenging for the solar panels to be exposed to enough sunlight. For a long time, the energy policies of this state are predominantly based on fossil fuels. So it is quite tough for solar projects to have a proper launch in
5. South Dakota Just like its northern counterpart, South Dakota receives fewer hours of sunshine than other states in USA. More so, the state presents challenges in energy policy that have not made adequate provisions for the development of renewable sources, making it the least attractive for investments in solar energy.
Factors Affecting Solar Energy Production in USA States
There are several factors determining the efficiency of solar energy production in different places in USA. The knowledge of these factors determines which states are suitable for solar energy development and where improvements are necessary.
These are some of the major factors: Availability of Sunlight: Sunlight hours and intensity are critical for energy production from solar panels. States with sunshine and many daylight hours can produce more electricity from their solar farms.
For example, California and Arizona have lots of sunny days in a year; thus, these states enjoy more sunlight throughout the day, and their solar farms are generally at their peak. Conversely, areas that are often cloudy or have less daylight hours like the Pacific Northwest face problems in producing electricity from solar energy.
State Policies and Incentives: Favorable regulations and state incentives are the main reasons for building solar energy development. Tax credits, rebates, and net metering policies encourage individuals and businesses to get solar installations in their residences and companies.
For instance, New Jersey and North Carolina enforce robust policies that enhance growth in the development of solar hence becoming favorable states for developers. In states that have less favorable policies, projects that may occur in the future might encounter problems from authorities, which will delay growth in such states.
Geographical and Environmental Factors: The temperature is another important factor because solar panels operate more effectively within a limited range of temperature levels. High temperatures reduce the efficiency of the solar panels. Moreover, land should be good, clear, and not obstructed, as seen in forests, or any building structures that could be favorable to solar farms.
Also, proximity to power grids is critical, which also makes it easy to transfer solar installations from that source to the electricity network. There is a high tendency of successful implementation of solar energy projects in states that have good infrastructure in place.
What to Do If You Are in a State with Low Solar Potential
In case you are located in a state with low solar potential, you can use these tips to maximize your solar energy production under budget:
Explore Incentives for Solar Adoption: Even if your state is not one of high solar potential, there may still be federal and local incentives that can make the buy-in to solar easier on your wallet. Research tax credits, rebates, and grants that will help to reduce the cost of solar panel installment. The federal solar tax credit can be an expense reducer, making solar energy more accessible even to states less favorable.
Consider Community Solar Projects: Another fantastic option available for the states in the USA for solar energy production is community solar projects. Community solar programs enable residents to acquire equity in a community solar energy system, often located elsewhere in the community. By participating in such projects, you are in a position to reap solar energy while still getting electricity at sometimes discounted rates without having to install panels on your property.
Advocate for Policy Change: Campaign for changes in policies, and you may have the ability to foster more solar energy within your state. Try to engage your local representatives towards policies that support the development of solar, such as renewable energy standards or incentives placed upon solar installations. Increased awareness and lobbying favorably for such regulations can help build a more hospitable community for the most affordable source of solar energy.
Future of USA in Solar Energy Production
As we progress toward a more sustainable tomorrow, solar energy will continue to be an important point of conversation and the potential existing in this world. California takes lead in solar development because its conditions are rather favorable; West Virginia is struggling to develop this resource in the proper way.
In understanding these influences of solar energy production for the availabilities of sunlight, state policies, and geographic considerations, it will be easier for individuals and communities to make decisions on the use of solar technology.
The key takeaways of this handy guide:
— > California tops the list of best states in USA for solar energy production due to enough sunshine hours and having favorable regulations. — > West Virginia is the worst state in USA for solar energy production. — > Community solar projects could enable residents in states of low-potential realization to benefit from solar energy.
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