New study ranks Las Vegas the No. 5 solar city in the nation

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Josh Chetwynd

Las Vegas helps drive dramatic nationwide increase in solar capacity

Environment Nevada

City of Las Vegas – The City of Las Vegas ranked fifth nationwide for solar energy capacity per capita, landing it among the nation’s leaders, and first in the Mountain region, for installing clean energy from the sun. The results come from the sixth edition of Shining Cities 2019: The Top U.S. Cities for Solar Energy, a new report released today by Environment Nevada Research & Policy Center. It is the most comprehensive survey available of installed solar capacity in major U.S. cities.

“The Entertainment Capital of the World can also be known as one of America’s ‘Solar Stars’,” said Bret Fanshaw for Environment Nevada Research and Policy Center. “Las Vegas’s use of solar energy sets an example for the rest of the country.”

Las Vegas ranked ahead of Phoenix, Arizona and just behind Burlington, Vermont for watts of solar energy capacity per capita as of year-end 2018. City buildings and operations are currently powered by 100 percent renewable sources including solar covered parking on at least 40 city buildings, parks, fire stations, and community centers.

 

“The City of Las Vegas is at the forefront of utilizing renewable energy and being a leader when it comes to sustainability,” said Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn G. Goodman. “We are encouraged to see how policies and programs have helped our residents and businesses take advantage of clean, low-cost solar energy.”

In addition to the annual rankings, the report examined national solar power in major cities over the past six years. The analysis found that from 2013 to 2018, solar energy capacity more than doubled in 45 of 57 of America’s largest cities.  Solar energy capacity actually more than quadrupled in Las Vegas during this time, according to the report.

Yet, the report also found that all of the cities in the study could install far more solar energy capacity than they currently have. According the report, 33 cities could install at least 50 times as much solar PV as they currently have installed in total on their small building rooftops alone.

“Each year the City of Las Vegas harnesses more and more of its enormous solar energy potential,” said Fanshaw. “We still have a long way to go, but leaders like Mayor Goodman are taking the steps necessary to power more homes, schools and businesses with clean energy from the sun.”

In addition to the report, Environment Nevada Research & Policy Center also released a new guide, “Ten Ways Your Community Can Go Solar”, a resource for local officials and community members who want to take action and bring more solar to their cities and towns.

This year’s Shining Cities survey ranks 69 of the nation’s major cities by solar energy capacity. Honolulu ranks first overall for solar energy capacity per capita, while Los Angeles places No. 1 in total solar energy capacity installed. Regional leaders for solar capacity per capita were Burlington, Vt. in the Northeast; Washington, D.C. in the South Atlantic; San Antonio in the South Central region; Indianapolis in the North Central region; Las Vegas in the Mountain region and Honolulu in the Pacific region.

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Environment Nevada Research & Policy Center is dedicated to protecting air, water and open space by investigating problems, crafting solutions and educating the public.

City of Las Vegas – The City of Las Vegas ranked fifth nationwide for solar energy capacity per capita, landing it among the nation’s leaders, and first in the Mountain region, for installing clean energy from the sun. The results come from the sixth edition of Shining Cities 2019: The Top U.S. Cities for Solar Energy, a new report released today by Environment Nevada Research & Policy Center. It is the most comprehensive survey available of installed solar capacity in major U.S. cities.

 

“The Entertainment Capital of the World can also be known as one of America’s ‘Solar Stars’,” said Bret Fanshaw for Environment Nevada Research and Policy Center. “Las Vegas’s use of solar energy sets an example for the rest of the country.”

 

Las Vegas ranked ahead of Phoenix, Arizona and just behind Burlington, Vermont for watts of solar energy capacity per capita as of year-end 2018. City buildings and operations are currently powered by 100 percent renewable sources including solar covered parking on at least 40 city buildings, parks, fire stations, and community centers.

 

“The City of Las Vegas is at the forefront of utilizing renewable energy and being a leader when it comes to sustainability,” said Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn G. Goodman. “We are encouraged to see how policies and programs have helped our residents and businesses take advantage of clean, low-cost solar energy.”

 

In addition to the annual rankings, the report examined national solar power in major cities over the past six years. The analysis found that from 2013 to 2018, solar energy capacity more than doubled in 45 of 57 of America’s largest cities.  Solar energy capacity actually more than quadrupled in Las Vegas during this time, according to the report.

 

Yet, the report also found that all of the cities in the study could install far more solar energy capacity than they currently have. According the report, 33 cities could install at least 50 times as much solar PV as they currently have installed in total on their small building rooftops alone.

 

“Each year the City of Las Vegas harnesses more and more of its enormous solar energy potential,” said Fanshaw. “We still have a long way to go, but leaders like Mayor Goodman are taking the steps necessary to power more homes, schools and businesses with clean energy from the sun.”

 

In addition to the report, Environment Nevada Research & Policy Center also released a new guide, “Ten Ways Your Community Can Go Solar”, a resource for local officials and community members who want to take action and bring more solar to their cities and towns.

 

This year’s Shining Cities survey ranks 69 of the nation’s major cities by solar energy capacity. Honolulu ranks first overall for solar energy capacity per capita, while Los Angeles places No. 1 in total solar energy capacity installed. Regional leaders for solar capacity per capita were Burlington, Vt. in the Northeast; Washington, D.C. in the South Atlantic; San Antonio in the South Central region; Indianapolis in the North Central region; Las Vegas in the Mountain region and Honolulu in the Pacific region.

 

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Environment Nevada Research & Policy Center is dedicated to protecting air, water and open space by investigating problems, crafting solutions and educating the public.