July 12, 2012: U.S. Solar Installations Surge in First Quarter, but Manufacturing Woes Continue
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Solar Market Insight: Q1 2012 report, released by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA®) and GTM Research, finds that growth in solar photovoltaic (PV) installations in the United States is sustaining its strong pace from 2011. Led by growth in the commercial market, the U.S. installed a record 506 megawatts (MW) over the first three months of this year, more than any other first quarter on record, according to the organizations.
The report says the total amount of solar PV across the nation now stands at 4,427 MW. In addition, concentrating solar power (CSP) facilities are providing 516 MW of electric power. Together, solar electric capacity reached 4,943 MW in the U.S., which is enough to power 775,000 households.