Title: The Highs & Lows in the US Solar Industry: A Look at the 2023-2024 Transition
Hello there, fellow solar enthusiasts! Today we’re diving into some fresh stats all about the solar industry in the US. Buckle up as we unravel significant achievements, surprising trends, and predictions for what 2024 may hold for our beloved solar.
In an unexpected twist, clean energy generation in the United States in 2023 saw a minimal increase of 0.9%. Hydro and wind generation fell, setting the tone for the year – but solar didn’t follow suit. It championed on and solidified its place in the green energy industry, with solar generation growing a formidable 15.4%.
Without a doubt, the year was an incredible time for solar companies. Myriads of them leaped into action, deploying a stunning 35.3 GW of new solar capacity. That’s a hefty 52% increase compared to the 23 GW in 2022. In a year marked by its fair share of ups and downs, it’s heartening to see the solar industry not merely survive, but thrive!
Wherever and whenever possible, these solar companies turned to solar panels for your home, spreading the benefits of solar energy across the nation. Thanks to their tireless efforts, the nation reached a record utility-scale solar, deploying a whopping 23.7 GW of capacity. The small-scale solar was not left out either, totaling almost 11.6 GW, another record set in the year.
The astonishing success of the solar industry can be credited to the resilience and pioneering initiatives put forth by every solar company in the field, helping homeowners discover the myriad benefits of having a solar array for home use.
Yet, there’s more good news across the horizon, folks. The Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration (EIA) – along with Wood Mackenzie Renewables & Power – anticipates at least 50 GW of solar being deployed in 2024. As a solar expert, I can’t help but feel a sense of pride and anticipation!
This year certainly didn’t ignore the potential of battery storage either. Seven GW wind was deployed alongside a significant 7.5 GW of battery storage. It’s truly inspiring to consider how the expansion of solar arrays for homes, coupled with a powerful boost in battery capacity, means we’re better equipped to harness and store this abundant energy resource.
Conclusively, the situation is this: despite the demand for electricity falling by 2.2% compared to 2022, the solar industry has displayed tremendous resilience, surprising us with exceptional growth. With the continuous expansion of solar panels for your home and varied other efforts, the deployment of solar energy continues to rise.
In the bigger picture, this not only ushers us into a sustainable future but also significantly contributes to cutting down emissions. Such developments reinforce how embracing solar revolutionizes everyday living, helping us break a new record of renewables meeting 23% of all generation.
So here we are, standing on the brink of a bright future powered by solar. I believe this revolutionary energy source will continue to reshape our world, one solar array at a time. Every step you take towards installing solar panels for your home forms part of this grand journey.
Till the next sunlit update, stay solar-inspired, folks!
Original Articlehttps://pv-magazine-usa.com/2024/02/28/u-s-solar-up-52-in-2023-as-nation-deploys-35-3-gw-of-capacity/