Solar Power Growth In Us

Increased solar energy deployment offers myriad benefits for the united.
Solar power growth in us. Solar industry growing at a record pace. This is the first of a multi part series on the state of the main sources of energy in the us and how they. Projections for long term us solar power growth vary widely and while most foresee growth moderating from recent exponential rates the potential for continued exponential growth is worth consideration as it has happened with other technologies. The seia also apprised that in 2018 alone the united states increased solar pv capacity by 10 6 gw which was added to the previous total of 53 8 gw.
Along with our partners at wood mackenzie power renewables and the solar foundation seia tracks trends and trajectories in the solar industry that demonstrate the diverse and sustained growth of solar across the country. In 2018 utility scale solar power generated 66 6 terawatt hours twh 1 66 of total u s. The current total of 64 2 gw is able to power. Nearly a third of the earth s electricity will come from renewables by 2024 according to the international energy agency.
Through a portfolio of r d efforts the energy department remains committed to leveraging america. When solar pv systems were first recognized as a promising renewable energy technology subsidy programs such as feed in tariffs were. Solar power in the united states includes utility scale solar power plants as well as local distributed generation mostly from rooftop photovoltaics as of the end of 2019 the united states had over 71 3 gigawatts gw of installed photovoltaic capacity. Worldwide growth of photovoltaics has been close to exponential between 1992 and 2018.
Over the past few years the cost of a solar energy system has dropped significantly helping to give more american families and business access to affordable clean energy. Solar energy in the united states is booming. During this period of time photovoltaics pv also known as solar pv evolved from a niche market of small scale applications to a mainstream electricity source. Solar cell power engineer technician checks the maintenance of the solar panels.
Solar industry is helping to pave the way to a cleaner more sustainable energy future. Solar jobs have increased by nearly 160 since 2010 which is nine times the national average job growth rate in the last five years. Solar power growth may continue to outpace most conventional projections. It is expected to have the most solar power capacity per customer by 2023 if not sooner followed by 2 solarriser gulf power.