Wednesday 24 February 2016

US solar market installed record 7.3GW in 2015

The solar sector in the US added 7.3GW of new capacity in 2015.

That’s another record-breaking year for the sector in the country, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA).

The industry has experienced a year-over-year growth rate of 17%, it added.

Solar energy supplied 29.5% of all new electric generation last year beating gas capacity additions for the first time ever, according to the SEIA.

More than 13 states installed around 100MW each. California is the region which leads followed by Nevada, Massachusetts and New York.

The residential solar market grew 66% year-over-year and represents 29% of the entire US solar market, stated the report.

SEIA President and CEO Rhone Resch said: “Without a doubt, 2015 was a monumental year for the US solar industry and perhaps what’s most amazing is that we’re only getting started.

“Over the next few years, we’re going to see solar continue to reach unprecedented heights as our nation makes a shift toward a carbon-free source of energy that also serves as an economic and job-creating engine."