You’re probably aware that solar energy is growing around the world—but a look at some significant statistics lets us drill down into detail about just how big and promising the solar surge is right now.
Solar Was One of the “Top Two” for the Sixth Straight Year
Solar was the second most important source of new electricity-generating capacity in America in 2018.
Sun-powered PV accounted for 29 percent of new generating capacity last year—second only to natural gas. And solar has held that number-two position for about six years now. We’re talking about 10.6 gigawatts of solar PV capacity added in 2018, for a total of 64.2 gigawatts of installed capacity.
That’s enough to power 12.3 million American homes and to charge every smartphone on earth for ten year.
Residential Installation Is Up
The 2.4 gigawatts of PV installed in US private residences in 2018 was a 7 percent increase from 2017—beating industry expectations. California, Nevada, and Florida led the pack in residential solar growth.
Renewables Beat Coal in Germany—with Solar an Impressive Contributor
Together, wind and solar edged out coal for the first time in Germany’s history in 2018. The score: Renewables, 41 percent of all electricity generation; coal, 38 percent. Deutschland’s solar generation capacity increased by 11 gigawatt hours from 2014 to 2018.
California—and the Other Solar Leaders
To nobody’s surprise, California retained its massive national lead in the number of solar projects and megawatts generated in 2018. But the South, the desert West, and the East Coast weighed in as well:
- California: 6,368,607 solar projects, 24, 464 MW
- North Carolina: 635,152 solar projects, 5,261 MW
- Nevada: 555,373 solar projects, 3,145 MW
- Arizona: 552,373 solar projects, 3,739 MW
- Texas: 349,044 solar projects, 2,925 MW
- New Jersey: 450,548 solar projects, 2,733 MW
- Massachusetts: 411,697 solar projects, 2,465 MW
- Florida: 275,814 solar projects, 2,465 MW
- Utah: 319,641 solar projects, 1,651 MW
- New York: 280,919 solar projects, 1,628 MW
Consider solar power
If you’d like to know more about solar power for your home, contact your local solar installer for a free quote and to learn more about which type of solar installation is right for you.
Download our eBook, Solar Projects Shaping the Industry, to learn more about the groundbreaking solar projects happening at home and abroad!
