Appalachian States — Solar Jobs Showdown — INFOGRAPHIC

Clean Power

Published on August 25th, 2013 | by Amber Archangel

Originally published on 1Sun4All.

Thanks to our friends over at renewableenergysolar.net, we have another exciting solar infographic. This time it’s a solar showdown between five Appalachian States. Here’s more from renewableenergysolar.net:

Appalachian Solar Showdown

The first of its kind, we are proud to present our Appalachian Solar Showdown. A showcase and comparative of five states within the southeastern and mid-Atlantic Appalachian region. We take a look at Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia.  Much like our previous Solar Smackdowns, we compare the following five metrics: number of solar jobs (and ranking), number of solar homes (and ranking), grading of net metering policies, renewable portfolio standards (including solar carve-outs) and ranking of each state’s electric prices.

Let’s see how the states stack up…

Author’s Note: 

The Appalachian Solar Showdown was brought to us by the same folks who brought us: California vs Texas on Solar Power (Infographic) and Maryland vs Virginia On Solar Power (Infographic).

I also found more information about the solar industry in the two leading states, Tennessee and North Carolina, from the Solar Energy Industries Association:

Facts on the Tennessee Solar Industry

• There are currently more than 129 solar companies at work throughout the value chain in Tennessee, employing 2,300.
• In 2012, Tennessee installed 27 MW of solar electric capacity, ranking it 14th nationally. See solar state rankings.
• Tennessee ranks 17th in the country in cumulative installed solar capacity.  There is enough solar energy installed in the state to power 5,200 homes.
• In 2012, $84 million was invested in Tennessee to install solar on homes and businesses.  This represents a 58% increase over the previous year, and is expected to grow again this year.

Facts on the North Carolina Solar Industry

North Carolina ranks 5th in 2012 installed capacity. 

• There are currently more than 111 solar companies at work throughout the value chain in North Carolina, employing 1,400.
• In 2012, North Carolina installed 124 MW of solar electric capacity, ranking it 5th nationally. 
  
• The 259 MW of solar energy currently installed in North Carolina ranks the state 6th in the country in installed solar capacity.  There is enough solar energy installed in the state to power 24,600 homes.
• In 2012, $16 million was invested in North Carolina to install solar on homes and businesses.
• Average installed residential and commercial photovoltaic system prices in North Carolina fell by 16% last year.  National prices have also dropped steadilyâ€" by 13% from last year and 34% from 2010.

Tags: Appalachian States, California, California Solar, Infographics, Kentucky, Kentucky solar, maryland, maryland solar, net metering policies, north carolina, North Carolina solar, renewable portfolio standards, solar carve-outs, Tennessee, Tennessee solar, Texas, US, US Solar, virginia, virginia solar, west virginia, West Virginia solar

About the Author

Amber Archangel is an artist, painter, writer, interior designer, graphic designer, constant student of many studies and founder of 1Sun4All.com. Living with respect for the environment close at hand, the food chain, natural remedies for healing, the earth, people and animals is a life-long expression and commitment. As half of a home-building team, she helped design and build harmonious, sustainable and net-zero homes that incorporate clean air systems, passive and active solar energy as well as rainwater collection systems. Archangel is fond of private aviation, would love to fly in the solar airplane and install a wind turbine in her yard. She is a peaceful, courageous soul who believes that clean energy is helping our economy and helping our world; she enjoys contributing to this effort.