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Rebecca J. Rosen

Rebecca J. Rosen - Rebecca J. Rosen is an associate editor at The Atlantic. She was previously an associate editor at The Wilson Quarterly, where she spearheaded the magazine's In Essence section.

The Top 10 Solar States

By Rebecca J. Rosen
Dec 7 2011, 10:43 AM ET Comment

Trying to build a better planet. Read more from this special report.

It may come as no surprise that sunny California ranks number one among the states for solar-energy production. With nearly half of America's solar power coming from that one state, California is far ahead of the pack. More surprising is the number-two slot: New Jersey -- a state not known for particularly sunny skies -- supplies 14 percent of the country's solar power, the result of aggressive support from state policies. All told, America now has the capacity to produce more than 3,000 megawatts of solar energy, enough to power about 600,000 average homes. Below, the complete top-10 list, using 2010 data from the Solar Energy Industries Association.

Update 4:11 pm: This post has been corrected to show that the percentages represent percent of American solar power.



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