Solar power is booming across the U.S., cutting utility costs and boosting grid reliability from coast to coast as report By SEIA. Just a decade ago, only three states had more than 1 gigawatt (GW) of installed solar capacity. Today, 33 states exceed that mark, with more joining each year. As America enters the solar century, states are ramping up investments in solar and storage to meet rising energy demands and strengthen local economies.
Meet the 2024 Solar Champions:
California
Still reigning supreme, the Golden State leads the nation in solar energy. With over 80,000 solar jobs and nearly 30% of the state’s electricity coming from solar, California continues to set the pace—though the gap is narrowing as other states surge forward.
Texas
The Lone Star State claims the #1 spot in utility-scale solar and new capacity added in 2024. With 41 GW projected over the next decade, Texas is rapidly closing in on California. The solar sector has injected over $50 billion into the Texas economy, and nearly 300,000 homes now use solar. Farmers and ranchers are also benefiting by leasing land for solar projects.
Florida
Holding strong at #3, Florida has more than 18.5 GW of solar capacity—enough to power 2.2 million homes. After hurricanes like Helene, solar-powered communities such as Hunter’s Point used their excess energy to maintain power and resilience during outages.
Arizona
Climbing into the top five, Arizona now supports 10,000 solar jobs and enough solar capacity to power 1.45 million homes. With generous net metering and property tax incentives, it’s one of the fastest-growing residential solar markets in the country.
North Carolina
Rounding out the top five, North Carolina boasts 7,300 solar jobs and over $13 billion in economic activity from solar. Microgrids powered small towns through Hurricane Helene, and military bases like Camp Lejeune now rely on solar to maintain energy security.
