San Diego is the most solar city in the U.S., followed by Los Angeles; Austin, Texas; Palm Springs, California; and San Francisco, according to Thumbtack data based on new solar panel installation projects booked across the country since March 2022.
“Over the past year, we’ve seen a spike in adoption of solar energy projects among consumers with solar panel installations up 96% this March, compared to the same time last year,” says David Steckel, home expert at Thumbtack and a licensed general contractor. “We recently found that 71% of Americans are prioritizing sustainable, energy-efficient home improvement projects this year—with more than one-third of Americans planning to install solar panels in 2023—showing an accelerating change in consumer behavior.”
The top 15 cities with the most net-new solar panels based on Thumbtack’s study are:
- San Diego
- Los Angeles
- Austin
- Palm Springs
- San Francisco
- Las Vegas
- Phoenix
- Orlando, Florida
- San Antonio
- Tampa, Florida
- Dallas-Fort Worth
- Denver
- Salt Lake City
- Washington, D.C.
- Sacramento, California
“We decided to focus on the cities with the newest solar installations in the past year, to celebrate those making the biggest change. When we looked at all solar projects—from installations to modifications, repairs, consultations and more—we found that unsurprisingly, California dominated the list with nine out of the top 10 spots—given their long-term commitment to and adoption of solar energy. We really wanted to celebrate cities that are seeing a shift in behavior,” Steckel adds.
To aid in the costs of installing solar panels, the Internal Revenue Code Section 25D provides an uncapped 30% tax credit for rooftop solar panels that can go toward equipment and installation, according to Rewiring America.
“Depending on how your solar panel system is purchased or financed, rooftop solar energy can save you hundreds of dollars a year on your energy bill,” says Nicole Staple, head of market partnerships at Rewiring America. “Rooftop solar panels provide zero-carbon, no-cost electricity once they’re installed and paid for. And when paired with a home battery storage system, rooftop solar can actually keep your home powered in the event of a power grid outage.”
