Dec. 20, 2013: US Solar Industry Records Second Largest Quarter Ever
U.S. Has Now Joined Germany, China, and Japan as Worldwide Leaders
WASHINGTON and BOSTON — GTM Research and the Solar Energy Industries Association® (SEIA®) has released U.S. Solar Market Insight: 3rd Quarter 2013, which indicates the U.S. installed 930 megawatts (MW) of photovoltaics (PV) in the third quarter, up 20 percent over the second quarter, and 35 percent over the third quarter of 2012. This represents the second largest quarter in the history of the U.S. solar market and the largest quarter ever for residential PV installations. Also, 2013 is likely to be the first time in more than 15 years that the U.S. installs more solar capacity than world leader Germany, according to GTM Research forecasts.
“Without a doubt, 2013 will go down as a record-shattering year for the U.S. solar industry,” said Rhone Resch, SEIA president and CEO. “We’ve now joined Germany, China, and Japan as worldwide leaders when it comes to the installation of new solar capacity. This unprecedented growth is helping to create thousands of American jobs, save money for U.S. consumers, and reduce pollution nationwide. When it comes to preparing for America’s future, clean, dependable, and affordable solar energy has become the ‘Little Engine That Could,’ defying expectations and powering economic growth — and, frankly, we’re just scratching the surface of our industry’s enormous potential.”