The solar industry is booming. The International Energy Agency reports that solar power increased much faster than any other source of fuel for the first time in 2016. Worldwide, the amount of solar power added jumped up to 50% in 2016 as well.
Over the last few years, the United States has seen an incredible growth of the solar industry. After reaching 1 million solar installations in 2016, the future of solar power in the U.S. is bright. It’s expected that there will be 2 million solar installations this upcoming year in 2018.
Even though solar power is a hot topic all around the country, there are some states whose residents and businesses are making the transition much faster than others. The Empire State, for example, is making incredible strides in their use of solar power.
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New York State boasts one of the hottest solar energy markets in the country. Long Island, in particular, shows a massive push towards using this eco-friendly source of energy.
Over the last five years, contractors on Long Island reported receiving more than 38,000 solar applications. This shows how interest in solar power on Long Island has increased over the last few years. What’s more? Long Island saw 21 times more applications in 2015 than in 2012.
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Residents of Lindhurst were, without a doubt, the most interested in solar power. They submitted over 1,500 applications over the last five years. Lindhurst isn’t the only area of Long Island where residents are making the transition, though. West Babylon and Bay Shore residents were also actively applying for solar power. Brentwood, Levittown, Deer Park, Massapequa, Valley Stream, Holbrook, and Elmont are the other seven towns who ranked in the top 10.
Clearly, Long Island’s effort to become one of the most eco-friendly areas of New York state is working.
More promise is on the horizon, too. The solar policy on Long Island is set to change in the near future. With the introduction of programs like Community Solar, many previously ineligible residents of Long Island will be able to “go solar” in 2018.
