The U.S. has formally exceeded 5 million photo voltaic installations, marking a big achievement within the nation’s clear power transition. This milestone comes simply eight years after the U.S. reached a million installations in 2016—a milestone that took 40 years to attain following the primary grid-connected photo voltaic set up in 1973.
In keeping with knowledge launched by the Photo voltaic Power Industries Affiliation (SEIA) and Wooden Mackenzie on Might 16, greater than half of all U.S. photo voltaic installations have come on-line for the reason that begin of 2020 and greater than 25% have come on-line for the reason that Inflation Discount Act turned legislation simply 20 months in the past. These techniques are put in on houses, companies, and in giant ground-mounted arrays throughout the nation.
“Photo voltaic is scaling by the hundreds of thousands as a result of it constantly delivers on its promise to decrease electrical energy prices, enhance group resilience, and create financial alternatives,” mentioned SEIA President and CEO Abigail Ross Hopper. “Right this moment 7% of houses in America have photo voltaic, and this quantity will develop to over 15% of U.S. houses by 2030. Photo voltaic is rapidly changing into the dominant supply of electrical energy on the grid, permitting communities to breathe cleaner air and lead more healthy lives.”
Regardless of state coverage modifications, market tendencies proceed to recommend vital development in states throughout the nation. SEIA forecasts that photo voltaic installations within the U.S. will double to 10 million by 2030 and triple to fifteen million by 2034.
The residential sector accounts for 97% of all photo voltaic installations within the U.S. (Determine 1). This sector has set annual set up data for 5 consecutive years and 10 of the final 12 years. Residential photo voltaic is rising at a historic fee as a result of it’s a confirmed funding for householders seeking to take management of their power prices.
Right this moment, 11 U.S. states and territories have greater than 100,000 techniques put in. California leads the nation with 2 million photo voltaic installations, however current coverage selections within the state have harmed the rooftop photo voltaic market. A number of different states are seeing speedy development. Illinois was an rising market with solely 2,500 photo voltaic installations in 2017, and at present, the state is residence to greater than 87,000 photo voltaic techniques. Florida is one other market experiencing substantial development, rising from 22,000 installations in 2017 to 235,000 installations at present.
By 2030, 22 states or territories are anticipated to exceed 100,000 photo voltaic installations. The U.S. now has sufficient photo voltaic installations to cowl each residential rooftop within the 4 corners states of Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico.
—POWER edited this content material, which was contributed by SEIA’s Communications division.
