Solar Accounts for Nearly Half of Electric Capacity Installed in US in Q1
WASHINGTON — A report released by GTM Research and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) found the U.S. installed 723 MW of solar energy in Q1 2013, which accounted for more than 48 percent of all new electric capacity installed in the U.S. last quarter. Overall, these installations represent the best first quarter of any given year for the industry. In addition, the residential and utility market segments registered first-quarter highs with 164 MW and 318 MW respectively.
The residential market remains a highlight for U.S. solar with 53 percent year-over-year growth. Unlike the nonresidential and utility markets, residential solar has not exhibited seasonality and market volatility on a national basis; quarterly growth in the U.S. residential market has ranged from 4 to 21 percent in 12 of the past 13 quarters.
Furthermore, third-party owned (TPO) residential systems continue to be a major storyline in the market. In the key states of California and Arizona, for example, TPO systems accounted for 67 percent and 86 percent respectively of all residential PV installed in Q1 2013.