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North Carolina

North Carolina is known for everything from quaint coastal cities to the breathtaking beauty of the Appalachian Mountains. You can’t go to the state without trying its famous vinegar-based barbecue with a side of sweet tea. The state has also made a name for itself in the solar industry. North Carolina ranks 2nd in the nation for producing the most solar energy. A leader in utility-scale solar, the future of clean energy is bright in the ‘Old North State.’ With an abundance of options for residents, North Carolina’s solar energy market is bringing affordable energy to the doorsteps of homes and businesses throughout the state.

Executive Summary

2018 Solar Report

Over 7,600 people work in the renewable energy industry, specifically solar, in the state of North Carolina.

The Tarheel State creates enough solar to power 492,100 homes.

Large retailers in North Carolina which have switched to solar include Apple, IKEA, and SAS.

Solar Energy News

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Current and Recent Initiatives
  • New Solar Farms Opening in NC Later This Year
    Sunfarm V and VI are currently under construction in Hertford, North Carolina. Located on a total of 89 acres of land, once operational will be able to power the lives of 1,164 families. The farms are owned by ET Capital Solar Partner (USA) Inc. and will be selling the power produced by the PV panels to Richmond, VA based Dominion Energy.
  • North Carolina Governor Signs Solar Bill
    In 2017, NC Governor Roy Cooper signed HB 589, the Competitive Energy Solutions Plan, into law. The bill adds additional features to the state’s robust solar industry including a competitive bidding process for solar developers and a statewide rooftop solar leasing program. In addition, it creates the ‘Green Source Rider Program’, which allows large utility customers to offset their electricity usage with renewable energy.

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Executive Summary

2018 Solar Report

New Mexico ranks 16th in the nation for highest solar producing states with 4.34% of the state’s electricity coming from solar.

Over 2,500 people are employed and provide for their families thanks to the solar industry according to The Solar Foundation.

New Mexico’s Renewable Portfolio Standard says that by 2020, 20% of the state’s energy will have to come from renewable energy.

Solar Energy News

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Current and Recent Initiatives
  • ‘Standard Solar’ Finishes Solar Project in New Mexico
    A new 9.8-MW solar farm is up and running in Gallup, New Mexico. Standard Solar Inc. finished the project on July 31, 2018 and will own and operate the facility built on city-owned land. The solar farm is expected to mean nearly 10% of the city’s energy needs. The almost 30,000 panel system will save Gallup $785,000 in the first eight years of operation, according to the announcement.

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Executive Summary

2018 Solar Report

Almost 400,000 homes in the state of New Jersey are powered by solar.

Over 7,100 people work and support their families thanks to the solar industry in New Jersey.

Large retailers that have switched to solar in the state include Anheuser-Busch, Ashley Plant, and AT&T.

Nearly $8 million has been invested in solar across the state.

Solar Energy News

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Current and Recent Initiatives
  • New Jersey Seals the Deal on Its Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS)
    Earlier this year, the New Jersey legislature passed a bill which increases the state’s RPS. Bill A3723 requires 50% of New Jersey’s energy to come from renewable sources by 2030. The bill also schedules the closure of the state’s Solar Renewable Energy Credit (SREC) program in 2021, and directs regulators to being a process to come up with a new program to support distributed solar, and an “orderly transition” from SRECs.

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State Executive Summary

2018 Solar Report

New Hampshire has over 1,000 solar workers across the state.

Warner, New Hampshire already has a solar powered bookstore and outdoor stage.

According to the Solar Foundation, most solar companies do not require a bachelor’s degree for new hires.

Solar Energy News

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Current and Recent Initiatives
  • Order Adopting a New Net Metering Tariff, What Does This Mean?
    In June 2017, the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission approved new net metering tariffs which will apply monthly credits to small solar customers. The tariff is meant to boost the American solar manufacturing industry and is temporary. It will be implemented while data surrounding solar is collected and pilot programs are launched, dropping from 30% to 5% in the next several years.
  • The Search for the Oldest Panel
    Solar has been helping power ‘The Granite State’ for decades now, but how many from decades ago are still in use? New Hampshire’s Granite Geek begins the search for the oldest solar panel which they believe could date back to 1979.

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State Executive Summary

2018 Solar Report

According to the Solar Foundation, Nevada comes in ranking 10th out of all the states for solar jobs and 4th for installed solar capacity.

The solar industry has created more than 6.500 jobs for hard-working Americans in Nevada.

Two of the largest single-site solar PV plants in the United States are located in Clark County and Boulder City. These plants have the ability to power more than 41,000 families in the state.

Solar Energy News

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Current and Recent Initiatives
  • Nevada’s Latest and Greatest RPS
    It’s looking like a bright future ahead for Nevada. Lawmakers hit the ground running in February 2017 and began the first steps in implementing a new RPS for the state with AB 206 stating that 40% of Nevada’s energy needs to be from renewable sources by 2030.
  • Establishing Guidelines for a Solar Community Program
    Although vetoed, SB 392 will be returning to the Nevada Senate floor in 2019. This bill would mean that the state will need to establish guidelines for a community solar program, including provisions allowing up to $1 million in incentives for low-income solar projects.

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Executive Summary

2018 Solar Report

The solar industry employs more than 250,000 Americans according to the National Solar Jobs Census. This is a 168% increase since 2010.

Solar makes up just under 2% of energy generation in the U.S., yet employs twice as many people as other energy competitors.

93% of solar installation companies do not require their employees to possess a bachelor’s degree.

The first solar cells were available for purchase to the public in 1956.

Solar Energy News

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Current and Recent Initiatives
  • Solar Powering America
    This interagency initiative between the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) supports greater solar development across the nation. The Solar Powering America page provides educational resources for the energy consumer interested in learning more about the benefits of going solar.
  • Solar to Grow Significantly from 2016 to 2025
    Federal and state initiatives have secured a successful future for solar energy. According to a Global Market Insight report, the Global Concentrated Solar Power Market is expected to grow at over 17% CAGR to surpass $120 billion by 2025.

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State Executive Summary

2018 Solar Report

Minnesota ranks 16th out of the states for highest amount of solar jobs. The ‘North Star State’ has over 4,200 jobs in the solar industry.

Minnesota currently has enough solar power to run over 116,000 households.

The state’s community solar program is a national model and the nation’s largest.

Solar Energy News

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Current and Recent Initiatives
  • Minnesota Residents Have New Solar Options
    A new network of community solar farms went online earlier this year allowing state residents in 34 counties to sign up to go solar. Collectively, the eight farms will produce 42.5 megawatts of solar energy.

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State Executive Summary

2018 Solar Report

There are over 4,000 people employed in Michigan thanks to the solar industry according to The Solar Foundation.

Campus Chapel in Ann Arbor achieved net-zero energy usage because of a 12 kW solar array installed on its roof in 2017.

Solar Energy News

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Current and Recent Initiatives
  • Tax Breaks for Household “Alternative Energy” Installations
    In March 2018, HBs 5143 & 5680 were introduced to the Michigan House of Representatives proposing to make investments in residential and small-scale solar energy equitable under the tax code. This means treating the addition of solar panels on residential property the same as installing a back up generator or high efficiency furnace. In June 2018, both bills were passed by an overwhelming majority.
  • Flushing Township Planning Commission Says Yes to Solar
    In July 2018 the Flushing Township Planning Commission passed an ordinance allowing residents to install solar PV panels. This means residents have the option to attach solar panels to their roof or to the ground outside their home.

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Executive Summary

2018 Solar Report

Massachusetts is ranked 2nd out of all the states for highest number solar jobs. According to the Solar Foundation, there are more than 11,500 jobs thanks to solar energy plants and installers.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) plays a large role in discovering and creating more efficient solar technology, which means the increasing affordability of solar energy is partially in thanks to MIT.

There is enough solar power to run 333,488 Massachusetts households.

Solar Energy News

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Current and Recent Initiatives
  • An Act to Promote Energy Diversity
    In August 2016, Governor Baker signed into law a comprehensive energy bill passed by the state legislature. Bill H.4568 requires Massachusetts to solicit long-term contracts – lasting 15 or 20 years – for 1,200 megawatts of hydropower or other renewable resources, such as land-based wind or solar.
  • Promoting a Clean Energy Future
    In June 2018, the Massachusetts State Senate approved a package of energy bills proposing a slew of new provisions in The Bay State’s solar space. If implemented, we could see changes ranging from a 100% renewable energy standard by 2047 to removing the state’s net metering caps.

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Executive Summary

2018 Solar Report

According to The Solar Foundation, The Burtonsville, Maryland company ‘SolarWindow Technologies’ is working on turning windows into transparent solar panels. The company hopes to eventually deploy the technology onto office buildings and skyscrapers, generating energy from the acres of glass soaking up the sun.

More people work in the solar industry than the crab industry in Maryland today.

Nearly 103,000 homes are powered by solar in the state of Maryland.

Solar Energy News

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Current and Recent Initiatives
  • House Bill 584 – Net Energy Metering
    Increases the maximum generation capacity of an electric generating system used by an eligible customer-generator for net metering to 5 megawatts, prohibits the Public Service Commission from prohibiting the construction or operation of multiple net-metered solar generating facilities located on contiguous lots that are owned by a local government solely because the capacity of the combined net metering systems exceeds the 5-megawatt limit.

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