Solar installations up 85% in first quarter

Installations of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems increased by 85 percent in the first quarter of 2012 compared with 1Q 2011, according to a release from the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). A total of 18,000 solar systems generating 506MW were installed in the quarter. The association raised its forecast for all of 2012 based on the accelerated project timelines in utility-scale installations and now expects to see 3.3GW installed this year. That's 11 percent of the group's global forecast of 29.9GW. New Jersey posted the largest gain among states, with 174MW installed, passing California.