Ypsilanti ranked as “solar leader” in national report

Media Contacts
Nathan Murphy

Nearly 700 kW of solar capacity installed and over 32 watts per person

Environment Michigan

For Immediate Release:

April 11, 2019

Media Contact: Nathan Murphy, Environment Michigan State Director

517-303-8692     [email protected]

Ypsilanti ranked as “solar leader” in national report

Nearly 700 kW of solar capacity installed and over 32 watts per person

Ypsilanti, MI – Ypsilanti ranks as a “solar leader” nationwide for per capita solar energy capacity, landing it among the nation’s leaders for installing clean energy from the sun. The results come from the sixth edition of Shining Cities: The Top US Cities for Solar Energy, a new report released today by Environment Michigan Research & Policy Center. It is the most comprehensive survey available of installed solar capacity in major U.S. cities.

“Ypsilanti’s leadership puts it among America’s ‘Solar Stars’,” said Nathan Murphy, State Director with Environment Michigan Research & Policy Center. “Ypsi’s use of solar energy sets an example for the rest of the country.” Ypsilanti’s per capita installed capacity puts it on par with sunny cities like Tampa Florida demonstrating that solar makes sense for Michigan.

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.

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 we harness more and more of the enormous solar energy potential in Michigan,” said Murphy. “We still have a long way to go, but leaders like Ypsilanti are taking the steps necessary to power more homes, schools and businesses with clean energy from the sun.”

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