The U.S. solar energy sector, especially its rooftop segment, is facing challenges currently. California, the nation’s largest solar market, has been significantly affected by the substantial policy shift to “Net Metering 3.0.”
Despite these hurdles, there are significant achievements to acknowledge in the advancement of solar energy in the United States. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), the country has now surpassed 5 million solar installations. Five million installations—an impressive milestone indeed!
Arguably more compelling and indicative is the fact that this marks a fivefold increase from the one million solar installations achieved in 2016.
Solar energy adoption has been accelerating rapidly nationwide.
Can we replicate this growth and reach 10 million installations within the next eight years? Is it possible to achieve this milestone even sooner—perhaps by 2030? According to SEIA, doubling the current number before 2030 is indeed feasible.
“Solar is rapidly emerging as the primary electricity source on the grid, promoting cleaner air and healthier living in communities. Currently, 7% of households in the U.S. have solar panels, and we anticipate this figure to surpass 15% by 2030”
Abigail Ross Hopper, president, and CEO of SEIA.
SEIA anticipates not only doubling the total solar installations to 10 million by 2030 but also tripling them to 15 million by 2034. This surge from 5 million to 10 million installations could occur within approximately six years, while the increase from 10 million to 15 million (also a 5-million-rise) would take roughly four years. Despite the challenges posed by Net Metering 3.0, SEIA foresees an accelerated growth trajectory for solar power.
Another noteworthy statistic shared by SEIA is that over half of all U.S. solar installations have been activated during the 2020s. Prior to 2020, less than half of our solar installations were installed and operational.
Solar installations in the U.S. have exceeded 25% since the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA)
That was merely 20 months ago, making it one of the most remarkable statistics in the article.
It’s important to note that “solar installations” encompass rooftop solar systems, solar power setups on commercial properties, and large ground-mount solar systems. The inaugural grid-connected solar power installation in the U.S. occurred in 1973.
Abigail Ross Hopper emphasizes, “Solar is scaling by the millions because it consistently delivers on its promise to lower electricity costs, boost community resilience, and create economic opportunities.”
Although large “utility-scale” solar power systems make the most significant contribution to clean electricity from solar energy, the majority of installations originate from the small-scale residential solar market. In fact, residential solar installations account for 97% of U.S. solar installations.
“For five consecutive years and 10 out of the last 12 years, this sector has been breaking annual installation records. Residential solar is experiencing unprecedented growth as homeowners increasingly recognize it as a reliable investment for managing their energy expenses.”
Currently, there are 11 U.S. states and territories boasting over 100,000 solar PV systems each. Leading the pack is California, with over 2 million solar installations, comprising about 40% of the nation’s total.
“Several other states are witnessing rapid expansion. Illinois, once an emerging market with only 2,500 solar installations in 2017, now boasts over 87,000 solar systems. Florida is also experiencing significant growth, surging from 22,000 installations in 2017 to 235,000 installations today.”
Despite persistent efforts from the utility and fossil fuel sectors to impede or dismiss the transition to solar power, the market continues to thrive. Solar power has become a cornerstone of our grid electricity supply, and the future looks even brighter in the years ahead.