Phoenix has doubled its per capita solar production since 2015 according to Environment America’s data. In a teleconference with media, Ben Sonnega with the organization said Phoenix ranks eighth in the nation for per capita solar wattage.

“We see the most solar development and deployment in places where conditions are set best by policymakers and not always necessarily where the sun shines the most,” Sonnega said. 

Environment America's report notes the solar market grew 23% in 2019. In the teleconference, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said she hopes solar energy development will be part of Phoenix’s recovery from the economic downturn caused by COVID-19.

“People are concerned about their futures and the more options and more industries that we have, the better we’ll be able to recover," Gallego said. 

Though Phoenix is among the country’s top producers of solar, the report points out the city has the rooftop potential to produce 10 times the solar energy it produces now.