Almost 1.7GW of new solar photovoltaic capacity was installed in the USA in the first three months of 2016, more than coal, natural gas and nuclear combined, according to GTM Research and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA).
The Solar Market Insight, Q2 2016 report shows that solar accounted for 64% of all new electricity generating capacity brought on-line in the first quarter of the year.
The report projected that globally the solar industry will install 14.5GW of capacity in 2016, a 94% increase on the 7.5GW in capacity installed in 2015.
The first quarter of 2016 marks the 10th consecutive quarter in which more than 1GW of PV was installed in the US, and the 12th consecutive quarter in which 500MW or more of utility-scale PV was installed, the report said.
SEIA interim president Tom Kimbis said: “While it took us 40 years to hit 1m US solar installations, we’re expected to hit 2m within the next two years.
“The solar industry is growing at warp speed, driven by the fact that solar is one of the lowest cost options for electricity and it’s being embraced by people who both care about the environment and want access to affordable and reliable electricity.”
Image: Morgue File
