Press Mention AL.com June 16, 2023
SACE Quoted
Alabama still at the bottom in solar power rankings, but has potential to rise
In this mention
Alabama ranks near the bottom among southeastern states in solar energy production according to SACE's sixth annual Solar in the Southeast report. The state had 348 MW of total solar capacity and only 18 MW of distributed solar in 2022, with Alabama Power designated a "SunBlocker" utility. However, recent regulatory approval for Alabama Power to add up to 2,400 MW of new solar capacity over six years, combined with several large-scale projects coming online, could help Alabama improve its rankings by 2026.
Alabama, Tennessee and Mississippi aren't exhibiting the same level of solar ambition as the other Southeast states
Bryan Jacob
Full transcript
By
Yet again, Alabama finds itself at the bottom of the pile in terms of the amount of solar energy produced.
Alabama ranked toward the bottom of most solar categories according to a new report measuring the solar power output of seven southeastern states, compiled by the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy.
"Alabama, Tennessee and Mississippi aren't exhibiting the same level of solar ambition as the other Southeast states," report author Bryan Jacob told AL.com via email.
Alabama did have more total solar capacity (348 megawatts) than Mississippi (277 MW) in 2022, but has a much higher population. According to the U.S. Census data, Alabama has just over 5 million residents, while Mississippi has just under 3 million.
Alabama and Mississippi also ranked last in the total amount of distributed solar, or small, rooftop or ground-mounted installations on individual homes or businesses.
The full state rankings of solar capacity are as follows:
| State | Total Solar Capacity | Distributed Solar |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | 7,288 MW | 1,293 MW |
| North Carolina | 4,273 MW | 443 MW |
| Georgia | 3,769 MW | 302 MW |
| South Carolina | 2,226 MW | 282 MW |
| Tennessee | 595 MW | 78 MW |
| Alabama | 348 MW | 18 MW |
| Mississippi | 277 MW | 10 MW |
In addition, the state's largest electric provider, Alabama Power, was named one of three "SunBlocker" utilities, whose projected four-year solar capacity remains below the regional average from last year.
In 2022, Alabama Power ranked last among all utilities in the region in watts of solar electricity generated per electric customer.
Alabama Power spokesman Joey Blackwell said the company generates clean energy from a number of sources besides solar.
"We are committed to meeting the needs of our customers and providing the reliable service they depend on, while also being environmentally responsible," Blackwell said via email. "Nearly one-third of the energy we generated for our customers last year came from clean energy sources, such as hydro, nuclear, wind and solar."
There is a potential for Alabama to rise in the rankings going forward, however. Jacob, the report author, said that the Alabama Public Service Commission recently granted approval for Alabama Power to add up to 2,400 MW of new solar capacity over the next six years.
That doesn't mean Alabama Power will build that much solar, Jacob said, but it gives the utility the ability to pursue more large-scale solar deals.
"That will really depend on the demand for renewable resources that customers express," Jacob said. "But at least Alabama Power is now empowered to be responsive to that demand."
The report also cites the development of several large-scale solar projects which were not completed in 2022, but either have already gone online, or are expected to begin providing power soon.
That includes a 160 MW solar farm developed for Mercedes-Benz, the 200 MW North Alabama Solar Project for the Tennessee Valley Authority and the 100 MW Blackbear 1 solar project for Alabama Municipal Electric Authority (AMEA) that became operational in January 2023.
With those projects operational, Alabama is expected to close the gap with Tennessee at the bottom of the rankings by 2026, but could rise higher if additional projects are announced.
"If they actually commission some of that 2.4 GW authority soon, maybe they can earn their way off that list in time for next year's Solar in the Southeast report," Jacob said.