Study looks at best cities for solar energy. Here’s how Georgia scored.
Georgia ranks below average for solar energy in Roof Gnome study The Augusta Chronicle
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Georgia Cities Score Low on Solar Friendliness
With advances in technology and growing fears surrounding climate change, there is a big push toward alternative sources of energy, such as solar.
And as more people look to solar as an option, is Georgia prepared to meet the demand?
Roof Gnome, a company specializing in roof services and solar installation, recently did a study on the best cities for solar energy, and several Georgia cities scored low on solar friendliness.
The study gave more than 400 major US cities a score out of 100 based on metrics like incentives, affordability, solar-friendly climate, and equipment/installation capacities. Eight Georgia cities were evaluated and received the following scores:
- Augusta: 30.84%
- Columbus: 30.24%
- Warner Robins: 30.23%
- Athens: 28.01%
- Atlanta: 27.68%
- Macon: 25.92%
- Savannah: 25.64%
- Roswell: 25.54%
While Georgia gets its fair share of sunshine, states with cities that scored higher are more sunny and have historically been friendlier towards alternate energy sources. However, there were several factors at play including annual percentages of sunshine, utility savings, and total square footage of solar-viable roofs.
Roswell ranked near the bottom in incentives available, while Macon, Savannah, and Athens ranked in the top 50. Atlanta ranked in the bottom 10 for roof viability. Columbus and Warner Robins ranked in the bottom 20 in equipment and installation. Atlanta and Warner Robins ranked in the top 50 for affordability. Athens and Columbus ranked in the top 100 for impact.
Best cities for solar energy, according to Roof Gnome
Here were the top five cities for solar power overall:
- Phoenix with 65.3%.
- Houston with 62.66%.
- Los Angeles with 61.32%.
- San Diego with 54.83%.
- San Antonio with 52.81%.
The bottom five cities overall were all in the state of Washington. Here’s how they ranked (from worst to best):
- Redmond with 14.91%.
- Kirkland with 16.04%.
- Bellevue with 16.93%.
- Bellingham with 17.21%.
- Everett with 17.63%.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy | 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix | – Percentage of solar power generation in the cities – Availability of incentives for solar energy – Affordability of solar installations |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | 11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management | – Solar-friendly climate – Total square footage of solar-viable roofs |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
The article discusses the push towards alternative sources of energy, specifically solar energy, due to advances in technology and concerns about climate change. This aligns with SDG 7, which aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
The article highlights the study conducted by Roof Gnome on the best cities for solar energy. This relates to SDG 11, which focuses on making cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. The study evaluates cities based on metrics like incentives, affordability, solar-friendly climate, and equipment/installation capacities.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
Target 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix
The article emphasizes the importance of solar energy as an alternative source of energy. By promoting solar power generation, cities can contribute to increasing the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
Target 11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities
The article discusses the factors that contribute to the solar friendliness of cities, such as solar-friendly climate and the availability of solar-viable roofs. By focusing on these factors, cities can reduce their adverse per capita environmental impact, particularly in terms of air quality and waste management.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
Yes, the article provides indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:
- Percentage of solar power generation in the cities: This indicator reflects the progress in increasing the share of renewable energy, specifically solar energy, in the energy mix.
- Availability of incentives for solar energy: This indicator assesses the support and encouragement provided by cities to promote solar energy adoption.
- Affordability of solar installations: This indicator measures the accessibility and affordability of solar installations for individuals and communities.
- Solar-friendly climate: This indicator evaluates the suitability of a city’s climate for solar energy generation.
- Total square footage of solar-viable roofs: This indicator indicates the potential for solar energy generation based on the available roof space in a city.
4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy | 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix | – Percentage of solar power generation in the cities – Availability of incentives for solar energy – Affordability of solar installations |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | 11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management | – Solar-friendly climate – Total square footage of solar-viable roofs |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: augustachronicle.com
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