U.S. solar market growth climbs by more than one gigawatt for 11th consecutive quarter

The latest data from Monday’s U.S. Solar Market Insight report shows 2,051 megawatts (MW) of solar photovoltaics (PV) installed in the second quarter of 2016, the 11th consecutive quarter with more than one gigawatt (GW) of PV installed.

“We’re seeing the beginning of an unprecedented wave of growth that will occur throughout the remainder of 2016, specifically within the utility PV segment,” Cory Honeyman, GTM Research associate director of U.S. solar research, said. “With more than 10 gigawatts of utility PV currently under construction, the second half of this year and the first half of 2017 are on track to continue breaking records for solar capacity additions.”

The report showed that with 7.8 GW of additional PV expected to come online this year, more solar capacity will be added in the second half of 2016 than in any single previous year. Residential PV installations also saw a 29 percent annual growth.

“Solar works in all 50 states and this report proves that what many would consider non-traditional markets are now firmly a part of the clean energy movement,” Tom Kimbis, the Solar Energy Industries Association’s interim president, said. “While it took us 40 years to hit one million U.S. solar installations, we’re expected to hit two million within the next two years. That record-breaking growth is made possible by solar’s cost-competitiveness and the vast benefits it provides consumers, our nation’s economy and environment.”