Abe Issa is an entrepreneur and expert in the clean energy space and former CEO of EnviroSolar Power and Intelli Smart Homes. EnviroSolar grew to the Top 10 leaderboard of green energy businesses in the industry. In the article below, Abe Issa explains how these top five states became leaders in solar power.
Solar power is the energy of the future, and with our country’s ever-growing need for energy, this utility can’t be overlooked. The question is, which states are leading the United States in adoption of solar power?
According to energy expert Abe Issa, there are five top states leading the charge. These solar energy pioneers are California, Texas, North Carolina, Florida, and Arizona.
Out of these top-ranking solar states, many different organizations have had a hand in bringing solar power to the forefront of energy production. According to Abe Issa of these entities include residential, commercial, government, and industrial groups.
Power Production
Some states championing solar power are unsurprising. California and Florida both boast sunshine year-round and actively encourage residents to purchase solar panels says Abe Issa. Still, there are more than just sunny states competing to lead in the race for solar energy. Abe Issa provides the table below to find out just how much each state can produce.
State Cumulative Solar Capacity
California 31,873
Texas 9,311
North Carolina 7,132
Florida 7,074
Arizona 5,247
How are the Top States Using Solar Energy?
Abe Issa takes a closer look at each state, how they are utilizing, profiting from, and expanding their solar capabilities.
1. California
California has forged ahead of the other solar power-conscious states for the past two years, according to Abe Issa, and 2022 is no exception. The way the golden state has kept its crown is not just because of the 300-plus days of relentless sunshine is enjoys, it’s the billions of dollars of investments in solar power. Over $73 billion in 2021.
California also boasts almost 2,000 industrial solar-power providers throughout the state, according to the Architectural Digest. Solar is the most popular energy source currently in the state.
2. Texas
Texas may rank second in the race for solar power, but its cumulative solar capacity is significantly behind California’s lead. With just as many sunny days per year, and its own power grid, the Lone Star State makes enough clean energy to power just under 1.1 million residences.
The state of Texas has invested $11.2 billion in solar energy and houses 85 manufacturers and hundreds of installing companies.
3. North Carolina
The Tar Heel state of North Carolina is probably not at the top of anyone’s list when they think of solar power leaders, but it does rank third overall in the U.S. according to Abe Issa. North Carolina has enough solar panels installed to power over 940,000 homes.
One of the most interesting aspects of North Carolina’s involvement in solar power is that it generously exempts eighty percent of a solar system’s appraised value from its residence’s property tax. This tax break highly encourages residences of North Carolina to invest in solar energy says Abe Issa.
4. Florida
Florida is called the sunshine state for a reason, and it certainly helps the state’s score on the leaderboards for solar power production. Similarly, to rival North Carolina, the balmy state offers 26 percent solar tax credit to residences according to Abe Issa.
Residences of Florida are also offered a valuable incentive in the form of net metering. Net metering allows those who have extra solar energy to sell that power to the electricity grid. With all sunshine Floridians love, this is a great encouragement toward installing solar panels!
Florida also houses more solar energy companies than North Carolina, boasting 411 over North Carolina’s 204.
5. Arizona
Arizona rounds out the list of top solar states. Arizona compares closely with Florida in terms of solar companies and residences powered by solar energy. However, Arizona has spent significantly more than Florida in reference to total dollar investments in the resource. Arizona has invested $13.9 billion, that’s over $4 million more than the sunshine state.
Although it ranks fifth in overall solar power leadership, Abe Issa explains that Arizona does rank as high as second place in national solar energy potential. The Solar Energy Industries Association estimates that in the next five years, Arizona has a 3,193-megawatt growth projection.
Summary
Because solar power reduces energy bills, and can eventually eliminate them, more Americans are considering the use and installation of solar energy according to Abe Issa. Whether residential, industrial, or even governmental, the nation’s eyes are on solar power. Though others are rapidly joining the race, California, Texas, North Carolina, Florida, and Arizona are leading the pack in solar power adoption as of 2022.
