The threat posed by climate change to the US and the rest of the world is real, but according to the GTM Research and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), solar energy in the US is in high gear, with solar projects being completed left and right.
To emphasize the growth of and spread of solar installation in the US, SEIA estimates that the US installed 7.4 gigawatts (GW) of solar power in 2014, a 42% increase from the previous year and the most ever for installations in the country.
Furthermore, SEIA says solar made up for 53% of all power generation capacity installation in the first two quarters of 2014.
SEIA shows solar made up 53% of US power generation in 2014
What this means is that solar is now the number one renewable energy source in the US. By the end of 2014, the United States will have 20.2 GW of installed solar capacity, more than enough to serve the needs of 4 million homes. To put things in perspective, there is enough solar capacity in the US to power every household in a state as large as New Jersey or Massachusetts.
But proponents of solar power say it doesn’t end there since there are 20 GW scheduled for 2015 and 2016, and more could be underway. Furthermore, new SHC (solar heating and cooling systems) are being developed that provide American homes with cost effective alternatives without compromising power.
SEIA to provide Americans with a renewable and affordable energy source by 2050
Rhone Resch, the CEO of SEIA, said in an interview that that the group plans to install more than 100 million SHC panels throughout the US by 2050. This long term approach, Resch says, will provide Americans with a renewable and affordable energy source. In addition, this program will provide more than 50,000 job opportunities for Americans. Once the SEIA project is in full swing, energy savings will reach $61 billion.
The benefits extend beyond the household however, as it will also have a positive effect on the environment. According to SEIA, solar offset more than 20 million metric tons of CO2 in 2014. To gain a proper perspective, this is equivalent to the removal of 4 million cars off the road, which saves 2.1 billion gallons of gas.
SEIA CEO Resch says solar has the potential to be a game-changer
In an interview, Resch said that while challenges lie ahead, there is every reason to be optimistic. Resch says that solar has the potential to be a “game changer” be it in homes, businesses, schools or government offices. Furthermore, the proliferation of solar means states get the chance to meet the demands of the Clean Air Act.
Based on the latest figures, there are more than 650,000 solar power systems in the US, including several thousands in homes. In 2014, the residential sector grew by more than 55%.
Based on the current trends, SEIA expects the numbers to grow even faster. To get an idea of how rapid solar growth has been in the US, five states – New York, New Jersey, Hawaii, Arizona and California – have more solar installations that the entire US did back in 2006, and the home solar market has grown by 50% the past three years.
