States take a shine to solar energy

By Trevor Hughes | USA TODAY

The USA has tripled its solar-power-generating capacity since 2010 and increased it tenfold since 2007, according to a new report from the non-profit advocacy group Environment America.

The report said California, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii, New Mexico and New Jersey lead the country when it comes to the amount of electricity being generated from the sun's energy. Although those are some of the country's sunniest states, the report says it's the political commitment that makes the most impact: Lawmakers in those states have passed solar-friendly laws and regulations.

"The sun shines on every state to varying degrees. But there's plenty of the sun's energy to tap everywhere," study co-author Rob Sargent said. "And what this report shows is that it takes a commitment from the top."

Despite the increases, America gets less than 1% percent of its electricity from solar power, Sargent said. But the rapid growth is heartening.

He said that in 2007, there was about 500 megawatts of solar photovoltaics installed across the country. Today, it's well above 7,293 megawatts.

The report said leading solar states have made it easier for people who install solar panels to offset their electric bills, have created tax incentives to install solar power and required utilities to increase their solar generation. New Jersey, for instance, has more than 1 gigawatt of solar capacity installed, which is more per capita than California, Colorado or New Mexico, the report said.

California has set a goal of getting 33% of its electricity from renewables by 2020 and has a separate effort to install nearly 2,000 megawatts worth of solar panels on rooftops by the end of 2016, said Edward Randolph of the California Public Utilities Commission. "A big factor in California's solar program success is that the state designed a program that is focused on creating a self-sustaining market," Randolph said.

Environment America said the country could get 10% percent of its energy from the sun by 2030 if other states adopted more solar-friendly regulations.

"It's a small fraction of our power consumption, but it's growing by leaps and bounds," Sargent said.

Hughes reports for the Fort Collins (Colo.) Coloradoan.