March 26, 2015 | By Jaclyn Brandt

By the end of 2014, 20 cities represented 6.5 percent of total solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity in the United States, according to a new report by Environment America. According to the report, Los Angeles has the most installed solar capacity in the country -- with 170 MW installed. San Diego follows close behind with 149 MW, Phoenix with 115 MW, Indianapolis with 107 MW and San Jose with 105 MW.

Solar panel installation on the roof of Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) in San Diego. Credit: Rick Naystatt

The report found that the top 65 cities in the country have installed 1.3 gigawatts (GW) of solar PV capacity -- more solar PV than was installed in the entire country at the end of 2009.

When it comes to installed capacity per person -- Honolulu, Indianapolis, San Jose, San Diego and Wilmington, Delaware lead the country. Honolulu comes in at 276 watts/person.

"Cities were also divided into U.S. Census sub-regions and ranked by solar PV capacity installed per person. New cities stand out when categorized and ranked by U.S. region," the report said. "Regional leaders are Honolulu in the Pacific region, Denver in the Mountain region, Indianapolis in the North Central regions, New Orleans in the South Central regions, Wilmington, Delaware in the South Atlantic region, and Newark, New Jersey in the New England and Mid-Atlantic regions."

According to the report, 173,807 people were employed by the solar industry in the United States as of November 2014 -- a 21.8 percent increase over November 2013.

"Solar power makes sense for cities," the report said. "Solar power reduces the threat to cities posed by global warming, cuts down on toxic air pollution, fortifies cities against severe weather events and boosts local economies."

For more:
- read the report

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