Washington State Ranking for Total New Solar Installations Ticks Up in 2017, Lags Many Other States

Media Contacts

Solar accounts for 30 percent of new U.S. energy added so far this year

Environment Washington

Seattle – A new analysis released today by SEIA/GTM Research shows Washington State ranks 27th for solar installations in the first quarter of 2017, up from its 28th place ranking for annual solar installations in 2016. Nationally, solar accounted for 30 percent of new energy capacity in that time.

The report comes as state legislators consider the Solar Jobs Bill, HB 1048 and SB 5499/5939, which would clarify the state’s solar incentive program. This program has been enormously successful in building a local solar manufacturing sector and more than 13,000 solar installations on homes, commercial buildings, and community facilities. The solar incentive program has also helped to create the 3,700 solar jobs in Washington. But now, Washington has outgrown the original program. Legislative certainty with passage of the above bills is essential for keeping and growing our thousands of solar jobs in WA.

Today, the U.S. has nearly 15 times more solar energy capacity installed than in 2010, with enough solar to power the equivalent of over 8.7 million homes and reduce 55 million metric tons of carbon emissions annually.

The data comes from the quarterly U.S. Solar Market Insight Report by SEIA/GTM Research.

Environment Washington director Bruce Speight released the following statement in reaction to today’s report:

“The data released today is clear: solar power continues to boom across America.

“If our state and local leaders step up their commitments to solar power, Washington’s environment and our health will benefit from cleaner air, water and a safer climate.

“Without an extension of the solar incentive program, we risk falling further behind other states in the deployment of clean energy and the jobs that solar is bringing to Washington.

“These figures also show that even while President Trump withdraws from the Paris Climate Agreement and rolls back American commitments to act on climate change, state and local governments stand ready to ramp up renewable energy at record speed.

“In order to reach 100 percent renewable energy, we can and must continue the wave of solar adoption currently underway in our communities.

“We urge Washington’s leaders to stand with us to create thousands of jobs building a clean, bright solar future.”

###

Environment Washington is a statewide advocacy organization bringing people together for a cleaner, greener, healthier future. www.EnvironmentWashington.org.