Eric Wesoff: July 29, 2009, 10:36 PM

• 3
• Email
  • Recipient's Email Your Email Send me a copy

  • Thank you!
    Your article has been sent.

  • Error
    There was a problem sending your article.

• Share

Top 10 California Solar Cities: And the Winner Is…

California is the the king of U.S. solar.  In 1999 there were about 500 PV rooftop installations. That number has grown to more than 50,000 rooftops producing more than 500 megawatts today, according to the California PUC.

Environment California Research and Policy Center released a paper earlier this month on California's solar cities. 

And the winner is... San Diego.  San Diego has been ranked No. 1 in the state of California and in the nation for solar power, according to the report.

San Diego County produces more solar power than every state except New Jersey and has more installations than Texas and Florida combined, according to Environment California.

California’s largest cities lead the state’s “Top Ten” list for total solar power capacity installed per city.  San Diego (with over 2200 installations) leads Los Angeles and San Francisco as well as upstarts like Fresno, Bakersfield and... Clovis (?).

San Diego is the state’s solar power leader in the number of solar rooftops as well as in the amount of energy generated with more than 19-megawatts installed. San Diego is followed by San Jose and Fresno, with more than 14 megawatts each, Los Angeles with 13 megawatts, Santa Rosa, Bakersfield and San Francisco which have more than 7 megawatts each, Oakland and Chico which have more than 6 megawatts each, and Napa which has more than 5 megawatts installed (many at winery sites).

In the words of the report, "Solar power is a no-brainer energy resource for California. Cleaner than fossil fuels, safer than nuclear power, and one of the most reliable sources of electricity, solar power is a critical part of California’s clean energy future."

The data-laden report can be downloaded here.