Report ranks Salt Lake City 11th nationwide for solar energy
SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — Utah's capital is among the leading cities in solar energy.
According to a recent report conducted by the Environment America Research & Policy Center, Salt Lake City is ranked 11th nationwide for solar energy per capita, putting the state capital among the nation's top solar energy leaders. The results came from "Shining Cities 2019: The Top U.S. Cities for Solar Energy" - a comprehensible survey that monitors installed solar capacity across the country.
“The ‘Crossroads of the West’ can also be known as one of America’s ‘Solar Stars’,” stated Emma Searson, Go Solar Campaign advocate with Environment America Research & Policy Center, in a Tuesday press release from the Salt Lake City Mayor's Office.
She added:
Salt Lake City’s use of solar energy sets an example for the rest of the country.
According to the report, Salt Lake was ranked ahead of Los Angeles and behind Albuquerque, New Mexico, for megawatts of solar energy per capita as of year-end 2018. Salt Lake City uses solar energy to protect public health by combating local air pollution and reduce global warming emissions as part of the city's commitment to achieving 100% renewable electricity citywide by 2032, stated the press release.
“We are thrilled to see Salt Lake City listed among the solar energy leaders in Shining Cities,” stated Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski in the press release. “Sustained development of solar resources is an essential pillar of our efforts to address climate change. Powering homes and businesses with clean, renewable energy creates jobs, reduces pollution, and offers stable electricity rates. I’m proud to see so many of our community members invest in a clean energy future.”
In addition to the national rankings, the report examined national solar power in major cities over the course of six years. According to the report, solar energy capacity has more than doubled in 45 of 57 of the country's largest cities and it has more than quadrupled in Salt Lake City from 2013 to 2018.
“Each year we harness more and more of the enormous solar energy potential across the country,” stated Searson. “We still have a long way to go, but leaders like Mayor Biskupski are taking the steps necessary to power more homes, schools and businesses with clean energy from the sun.”
To see the full report, visit environmentamerica.org.