U.S. Solar Market Trends 2009: solar markets are booming
The number of new grid-connected PV installations grew by 40% in 2009 compared with the number installed in 2008. The two largest PV systems installed in 2009 together accounted for 12% of the annual installed PV capacity. In IREC’s 2009 edition of U.S. Solar Market Trends, primary author, Larry Sherwood, provides public data on U.S….
The number of new grid-connected PV installations grew by 40% in 2009 compared with the number installed in 2008. The two largest PV systems installed in 2009 together accounted for 12% of the annual installed PV capacity.
In IREC’s 2009 edition of U.S. Solar Market Trends, primary author, Larry Sherwood, provides public data on U.S. solar installations by technology, state and market sector. The report was funded by the U.S. Department of Energy through the Solar Energy Technologies Program.
According to Sherwood, the current format started with 2007 data. “However,” he said, “I did reports with similar data for DOE’s Million Solar Roofs Initiative starting in 2004.”
Sherwood’s numbers show that in spite of poor economic conditions, solar markets continue to grow in the United States due to consumer interest in green technologies, concern about energy prices, and financial incentives available from the federal government, states, local governments and utilities. Over 107,000 solar installations were completed in 2009.
To read the full report, click here.
At Solar Power International 10, Larry Sherwood was interviewed by Renewable Energy World’s Stephen Lacy about this report. Here’s that interview:
