Manchester ranked 31 out of 64 major U.S. cities for solar installed per person in a report from the research and policy center of Environment New Hampshire in Concord.
Data for the report was collected from municipal and investor-owned utilities, city and state government agencies, operators of regional electric grids and nonprofit organizations.
The results revealed that the top 20 solar cities represented just 0.1 percent of U.S. land area and accounted for 6 percent of U.S. solar photovoltaic capacity at the end of 2015, producing enough power for 5.4 million American homes. In the Northeast, Newark, NJ and Burlington, Vt. topped the list for most solar power per capita.
While Manchester only had enough solar capacity at the end of last year to power about 320 homes, NH’s solar industry is poised for future growth. More than 70 solar companies work in NH, which translates into more than 900 jobs statewide.
“New Hampshire has high electricity rates and an ample solar resource” says John Lawrence, design specialist at ReVision Energy in Exeter. “Clean, distributed energy is the natural choice in terms of economic viability, fossil fuel emission reduction and adding value to the centralized electric grid.”
The report also indicates the importance of state policy for furthering solar development. “[Solar energy] is an important part of meeting our state policy goal of 25 percent renewables by the year 2025,” says says Robert Backus (D-Manchester), a state representative. “We need to continue to have strong state support.”
Last week, the NH Senate passed HB 1116 regarding net metering, a practice which credits solar customers for the unused electricity fed back into the grid. The legislation increases the statewide net metering cap from 50 to 100 megawatts and directs regulators to develop an alternative rate structure for net metering. The bill is on the governors desk and she is expected to sign it.
"Solar is one of many clean energy resources in New Hampshire that contributes to a diverse and reliable energy supply, and businesses and families across the state are utilizing solar to lower their energy bills and to increase their energy independence,” says Governor Hassan. “The success of New Hampshire’s clean energy economy is creating good-paying, high-quality jobs, spurring economic development and helping combat climate change.”
Environment New Hampshire endorses continued solar power development in Manchester and the state, citing direction from community solar programs and the Obama Administration’s Clean Power Plan, a carbon pollution reduction plan stayed by the U.S. Supreme Court in February pending judicial review.
“Manchester could really start to shine when it comes to solar power,” says Sharon Solomon, global warming solutions organizer with Environment New Hampshire. “Cities have been at the forefront of environmental change for decades, and there’s no reason for them to stop now.”
Current Issue - May 2024