Solar electricity capacity across the country has grown nearly 20-fold since 2007. Just last year, the U.S. installed more solar PV capacity than the nation had installed in its entire history up to 2011.
Washington however, is lagging behind in this movement, ranking 26th out of 31 solar-producing states in the country with 3.4 solar watts per capita, according to a recent report from Environment Washington Research and Policy Center.
We need a strong commitment from our state leaders to expanding our access to solar power so that we can reap the benefits of this pollution-free energy source with no fuel costs.
Specifically, we need to take advantage of Gov. Jay Inslee’s executive order to deal with carbon emissions that standardizes and streamlines the permitting process for putting up solar panels. This can cut as much as $2,500 from the installation process and is a great step towards cutting carbon emissions.
Washingtonians want good jobs, less pollution and clean energy, and solar can deliver on all counts. It is vital that our state officials set bold solar goals and begin enabling policies that will significantly increase solar development in Washington.
(Sears is an intern with Environment Washington Research and Policy Center’s District of Columbia office.)