Red or Blue doesn't matter - where are the top U.S. utilities for solar energy located?
A new report from Wired.com indicates the top U.S. utilities for solar energy. Not too surprisingly, they are mostly clustered in the Southwest corner of the country, with all but one of them with locations in California. Hawaii is second on the list with three solar energy plants. Of the remaining top U.S utilities for solar energy, you’ll find installations in Nevada, Arizona, Wyoming, New Jersey and New York.
Why should you care where the top U.S. utilities for solar energy are?
Quite simply because solar power is on the rise – and quickly. Installations at utilities went up 25% in 2008, compared to the previous year. Many utilities doubled their solar power output. As of the end of last year, the 10 top solar utilities boast an impressive 882 megawatts of capacity from solar energy. But that is a mere drop in the bucket with respect to future predictions. More than 7,500 megawatts of solar capacity is planned to be installed within seven years.
Big companies like Southern California Edison and Pacific Gas and Electric (both California-based), combine to hold the lion’s share of the sun-powered wattage. However, smaller, publicly-owned utilities are making headways and headlines with massive increases in solar watts per customer, like San Francisco PUC.
Utility-built solar fields can increase our solar energy megawatts
Observes the executive director of the Solar Electric Power Association:
“This year’s report demonstrates that solar electricity is finally on the radar screen of utilities across the country. Solar plants large and small are ready for significant build-out, and the utility industry is moving towards mass adoption to meet a variety of business needs.”
So just who are these “shining stars” in the U.S. solar energy market? With respect to total solar megawatts:
- Southern California Edison
- Pacific Gas & Electric
- NV Energy
- San Diego Gas & Electric Co.
- LA Department of Water & Power
- Public Service Electric & Gas
- Public Serv. Co. of CO
- Arizona Public Service Co.
- Sacramento Municipal Utility District
- Long Island Power Authority
For solar watts per customer:
- San Francisco PUC
- Port of Oakland
- Southern California Edison
- Kauai Island Utility Coop.
- Palo Alto Utilities
- NV Energy
- Pacific Gas & Electric Co.
- Maui Electric Co.
- Hawaii Electric Light Co.
- San Diego Gas & Electric Co.
I cannot wait to see what next year’s lists look like!
Tags: solar electric power association, solar installations, solar power utilities, top locations for solar power, u.s. utilities solar energy
What else do most of these companies have in common? The desire to destroy Federal lands in the name of green energy. But it doesn’t have to be that way if we just say no.