“Harnessing Nature’s Power: Exploring the Seasonal Dance of Solar and Wind Energy”

Greetings to my fellow solar enthusiasts!

There’s a big shift happening under our noses, and it has to do with the sky above and the roofs over our heads: solar. With the continuing growth of solar adoption in the US, this impressive source of renewable energy is providing a larger percentage of electricity every year. Let’s dive into the numbers from the Electric Power Monthly report by the Energy Information Administration (EIA) which reflect this growth.

As of October 2023, solar photovoltaics have contributed an outstanding 5.78% to US electricity. This exciting revelation marks a clear and consistent growth in solar use throughout the country, which I believe speaks volumes about the increasing attractiveness and accessibility of solar for many Americans.

What stands out in this data, based on PV Intel’s findings, is the expansion of solar power. For the first ten months of 2023, solar power’s contribution increased by 16% as compared to the same period in the previous year. Furthermore, during a rolling twelve-month period from November 2022 to October 2023, solar has grown from providing 4.63% to 5.36% of total US electricity. Can you believe it? The sun is supplying more than 5% of the electricity to our entire country!

Yet, this is a two-sided solar coin: For example, in October, while solar’s share of total generation topped 6%, experts predict its share to decline the same way it decreased analogously by 29% in 2022. Though, inversely, as solar output declines during winter months, wind generation picks up the slack. It’s all about balance in the renewable energy world!

Last year, for instance, solar generated indeed 4.98% of all US power in October, but by year-end, this slipped to 4.7% due to the shorter, darker days of November and December. The great news is, this decrease in solar output coincides with an upswing in wind energy production. An elegance of solar and wind, balancing each other, is seen here as these seasonal changes fall in synch.

What’s more, several US states have experienced remarkable growth in their solar power generation. For example, South Dakota skyrocketed with a surprising 3605% increase in solar power output, while Montana also registered a significant 398% leap. And for those wondering, “How could such a jump occur?” it’s largely due to the commissioning of utility-scale solar arrays.

Even the addition of just one sizable solar array for home or business use can significantly increase a state’s overall solar output and see it become a leading solar company in photovoltaic supply. The scale of these changes reiterates how investing in solar panels for your home can exponentially increase a state’s reliance on clean, renewable energy.

There are, of course, external factors that may affect these numbers. Variations in meteorological patterns, such as differing levels of radiance, can affect these results. However, working with consistent trends can help mitigate these shortcomings.

The utility-scale solar power facilities play a considerable role in our data, as new installations significantly influence the overall growth figure of our national solar power generation. In October, the capacity of commissioned utility-scale solar power facilities added a substantial 2,466 GW ac.

In closing, it’s amazing to see these numbers: to see solar, once the underdog in energy production, stepping into the limelight, and to realize that more than 5% of our power now comes from this source we see almost every day. Yes, choosing to use solar energy, may it be contracting solar companies for a residential setup or supporting utility-scale installations, has a significant impact not only on our individual energy bills but also on our collective pursuit of cleaner, renewable, and enduring power sources.

Stay sunny, friends!

Original Article: https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2024/01/16/solar-season-slows-wind-power-rises/

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