The Solar Electric Power Association’s (SEPA’s) 2011 Top 10 Utility Solar Rankings survey reveals that utilities installed almost 1,500 MW of new utility solar capacity in 2011, more than twice as much as was added in 2010. According to the findings, utilities interconnected more than 62,000 PV systems of all sizes in 2011.

Much of this growth took place not just in the Southwest, traditionally the leader in solar power, but also in eastern states.

All together, the Top 10 utilities reported adding more than 1,000 MW of solar electricity capacity in 2011. For the fourth straight year, Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E, NYSE: PCG) led all utilities in the most new solar energy added to its grid with 288 MW. Public Service Electric & Gas Co. secured the No. 2 spot with 181 MW in 2011.

In addition, four East Coast utilities earned spots in the Top 10 for new solar energy added, indicating that solar power is spreading far beyond its original concentration in the southwestern part of the U.S.

For details on the survey results, click here.

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