(Image credit: StockMonkeys.com at flickr under a creative commons license)
74% of new electric generating capacity in U.S. this year came from solar. Not new renewable capacity, new total capacity: a stunning three-quarters of national energy sector growth. Coal, natural gas, wind, and others accounted for a stagnant 26% combined.
For the first time since 2002, residential solar growth topped both commercial and government increases. Regular homeowners are showing their clout in an industry usually dictated by policy and commercial trends.
Worried about the industry crashing to the ground after the “unsustainable” rebates run out in 2016? For the first time ever, over a third of new home PV installations did not utilize state government subsidies.
California accounts for the majority of new residential installations and 72% of new installations overall. State and municipal commitment to commercial solar growth, as well as solid incentives for homeowners, promise to push solar well past the 2016 Federal STC ceiling.
One Response on 4 Takeaways From Solar Industry’s Gigantic 79% Jump
[…] market. Despite trade policy strife over the last two years, the U.S. Solar industry posted record growth, with residential comprising an increasing market […]
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