According to the latest U.S. Solar Market Insight from Wood Mackenzie Power & Renewables and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), the U.S. residential solar market reached record highs in the third quarter of 2019. The U.S. solar market added 2.6 gigawatts (GW) of solar photovoltaics in 3Q, bringing total U.S. solar capacity to 71.3 GW.
The increase in residential installations helped the U.S. solar market grow 45% year over year (YOY) and contributed to 15 states having their best quarter ever in the residential solar market. States with smaller markets such as Idaho, Wyoming, New Mexico and Iowa saw record growth due to continued price declines and improvements to the economic competitiveness of solar across the country.
“This positive report makes clear that American families are demanding energy choice and solar, and that our industry is ready to deliver,” said Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO of SEIA. “This is the kind of growth and investment we could see going forward if we make smart policy moves, like extending the solar Investment Tax Credit and stopping additional tariffs. Failure to make these policy moves will limit deployment potential and cost jobs.”