The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) has forecast that of the estimated 83 gigawatts (GW) of renewable capacity additions in the nation between now and 2040, nearly half are expected to be photovoltaic (PV) systems.
Of that figure, 60 percent of all PV installs will be rooftop solar power systems.
“Solar is the fastest-growing source of renewable energy today – and, as this report bears out, it will continue to be for years and years to come,” said Rhone Resch, president and CEO of the Solar Industries Association (SEIA).
“The continued, rapid deployment of solar nationwide will create thousands of new American jobs, pump hundreds of billions of dollars into the U.S. economy and help to significantly reduce pollution.”
However, Mr. Resch warned against complacency.
“But this progress could be jeopardized if smart public policies, such as the solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), net energy metering (NEM) and renewable portfolio standards (RPS), come under renewed attack by entrenched fossil fuel interests.”
According to the EIA report, from 2006 through 2012, annual average electricity generation capacity additions in the USA were 19 GW, with 42% being renewables (primarily wind) and 45% representing gas-fired technologies.
Of the 83GW renewables capacity to be installed by 2040, 28 GW will be wind; 60% of which will occur by 2015 as developers race to take advantage of production tax credits. EIA projects that wind power capacity will increase by 8.6% in 2014 and 13.9% in 2015. Electricity generation from wind is projected to contribute 4.5% of total electricity generation in 2015.
While wind power in the USA certainly hasn’t had its day; it appears it’s now solar’s time to shine – and not just on rooftops. EIA expects utility-scale solar capacity will have increased by 88% from the end of 2013 to the end of 2015; with approximately 70% of this new capacity installed in California.
