In the U.S. today, in fact, there is excitement building, among both citizens at large and state and federal lawmakers, for more effective and wide-ranging solar programs. Economic uncertainties also encourage individuals, companies and the various levels of government to move to lower-cost alternatives as well as focus on renewable, sustainable energy sources.
The top 10 solar-friendly states, then, are by latitude and attitude, mainly how much support there is among the citizenry, the available incentive and policy programs in place, and days of sunshiny weather.
New Mexico
Annual Sunny Days: 320-340
Total Savings Available from State/Federal Programs (%): 50-55%
This sunny Southwestern state has finally recognized that its 300-350 days of sunshine are, in fact, a major energy asset. Its RPS (Renewable Portfolio Standard) mandates that 20% of the state's electricity must come from renewable sources by 2020, a date that crops up in the energy legislation of many other states. Up to $9,000 in tax credits can be taken for solar installations, of both thermal and PV (photovoltaic) varieties, in New Mexico.
Colorado
Annual Sunny Days: 300-320
Total Savings Available from State/Federal Programs (%): 70-85%
Nature provides plenty of sunshine every year for this state, while the state government provides loans, tax exemptions and rebates for solar system installation. Colorado has also taken steps to accelerate the number and quality of "green collar" jobs through tax incentives and public-private efforts that encourage solar technology research and the manufacturing of PV products.
Pennsylvania
Annual Sunny Days: 160-180
Total Savings Available from State/Federal Programs (%): 50-55%
The coal industry is still quite powerful in the Keystone State, so politicians there have to walk on eggshells at times when moving toward other, renewable energy sources. Nevertheless, the state is promoting job growth in various "clean energies" with tax incentives and other inducements that seek to bring solar technology firms to Pennsylvania.
Maryland
Annual Sunny Days: 200-220
Total Savings Available from State/Federal Programs (%): 35%
The state "jump-started" its solar energy program in the last several years through higher rebates, bringing its installed solar capacity to 1MW. The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) Solar Energy Grant Program recently received additional funds from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a program of ten Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic states aimed at reducing carbon dioxide emissions from regional electrical generation plants. The new funding will allow the MEA to disburse grants to the first 200 individuals on the 2009 waiting list.
Massachusetts
Annual Sunny Days: 200-220
Total Savings Available from State/Federal Programs (%): 35-45%
The state is concentrating efforts on infrastructure such as government buildings and schools through Commonwealth Solar. This state-funded effort will invest $68 million to offset the cost of installing PV systems in designated schools and structures, with a portion of the funds available for other pilot programs targeting existing homes as well as new construction.
Connecticut
Annual Sunny Days: 200-220
Total Savings Available from State/Federal Programs (%): 45%
Most of this state's programs for solar and other alternative energies are under the umbrella of the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund. In addition to various solar power incentives, the state’s RPS already requires that, by 2020, a quarter (actually, 27%) of Connecticut's electricity must come from a combination of renewable sources.
New Jersey
Annual Sunny Days: 240-260
Total Savings Available from State/Federal Programs (%): 55%
Jersey has raced past its "big neighbor" across the Hudson and can boast the largest installed solar capacity next to California. Much of the credit belongs to such visionary programs as SREC, which stands for Solar Renewable Energy Certificate. Whenever a solar electric system attains 1000kWh (1MWh) of electricity, a "tradable" SREC is awarded. Since these can then be sold or swapped, individuals and businesses have a much easier way of financing and investing in clean, renewable, emissions-free solar power.
California
Annual Sunny Days: 320-340
Total Savings Available from State/Federal Programs (%): 50%
The California Solar Initiative is a $3.3 billion, 10-year program designed to keep the state at the forefront of solar technology manufacturing in the U.S. California, one of the largest solar power markets on the planet, launched Go Solar California in January of 2007, which introduced new incentives and guidelines to existing programs. One new idea, the New Solar Homes Partnership, offers incentives to builders of energy efficient homes, while another bases incentive levels on performance factors such as installation angle, location and tilt.
Oregon
Annual Sunny Days: 260-280
Total Savings Available from State/Federal Programs (%): 35%
In the 1970s, this state offered the first tax credit for solar energy use, and it hopes to move into a leadership position once again with cash incentives for both PV and thermal solar systems. Oregon passed seven comprehensive, far-reaching clean-energy bills in 2007 alone, and "green collar jobs" are enjoying a growth surge after several PV component firms built new manufacturing facilities in the state.
Minnesota
Annual Sunny Days: 180-220
Total Savings Available from State/Federal Programs (%): 45%
As recently as early 2008, solar power "pundits" were asserting that Minnesota had "no [solar] incentives" and little state assistance for renewable resource users. How times change. There are now half a dozen energy programs and grants, encompassing the installation and production of biomass and biogas, practical studies on biodiesel and ethanol, and incentives for both wind and solar installations. The state's online Energy Info Center states that, "Minnesota has more annual solar energy potential than Houston, Texas and nearly as much as Miami, Florida," inviting visitors to "Find out more" by reading linked articles. From out of nowhere, it seems, this cold-weather state has jumped into the top 10 solar-friendly states and seems serious about shooting for #1.
If you start wondering what's next for state policies on solar energy, turn to the Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA) to get up to speed. CESA reports that states are taking serious, studious looks at both solar thermal heat and hot water solutions, due to efficiency, affordability and the stable nature of the maturing technology. Plans for affordable housing are another part of the overall strategy for expanding the market for solar technologies.
For everything you could possibly want to know about state programs and subsidies, see the detailed, up-to-date Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE) at http://www.dsireusa.org. DSIRE describes itself as "a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility, and federal incentives that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency."