Dive Brief:
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Columbus, OH, leads Midwestern U.S. cities for solar power potential, according to Redfin. Chicago; Madison, WI; Dayton, OH; and Cincinnati rounded out the list's top five. Milwaukee, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Detroit and Minneapolis–St. Paul followed to complete the top 10.
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To assess solar potential, Redfin and startup Sun Number ranked the largest cities in the Midwest by their Sun Number. Out of a possible 100, scores closer to 100 have the most estimated solar potential.
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Redfin compared the figures with its own listings data and found that listings in higher-ranked markets that included a note about "solar power" typically sell for more than those that don't
Dive Insight:
Solar is gaining traction as more homeowners and municipalities alike begin to seek out renewable energy sources. A December 2006 study from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory revealed that homes outfitted with solar arrays sold 20% faster and for a 17% premium, on average, than neighboring houses without.
More recently, a 2013 survey by the National Association of Home Builders revealed that one in 10 association members had used photovoltaic arrays on projects, with more expected to do so in the coming years. The Solar Energy Industry Association estimates that more than 1 million homes had rooftop solar installations in 2016, and forecasts say usage could expand to nearly 4 million homes by 2020.
That's encouraging manufacturers — most recently, Tesla — to continue pursuing a rooftop solar solution that will attain widespread adoption. Meanwhile, developers are planning entire communities around a common source of renewable energy. One of the latest is Miami-based Lennar's plan for a 180-home, master-planned community with an onsite, 443-acre photovoltaic system.
Other builders, including KB Home and Meritage Homes, are partnering with photovoltaic integrators to add solar to their homes and communities. KB Home built 5,100 solar-powered homes in 2016, according to its latest corporate sustainability report.
