The majority of discussions relating to solar energy are usually regarding large solar farms being created and corporations installing solar panels. However, individual households installing solar panels are also a large part of the solar energy sector. A new report by the Solar Energy Industries Association points to the growth of the home solar energy sector.
2009 was expected to be a less than stellar year for solar energy, especially for home ownership, due to the recession. However, the newly released report found that home ownership of solar panels increased significantly in 2009.
The president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association, Rhone Resch, stated: “Despite the Great Recession of 2009, the U.S. solar industry had a winning year and posted strong growth numbers. We expect 2010 to be a breakout year for the U.S. solar industry.”
According to the report, home solar installments produced 156 megawatts of electricity in 2009. This is a significant increase, a doubling to be exact, from the 78 megawatts produced in 2008. The reason the sector grew so readily in 2009 is considered due to lower photovoltaic systems’ cost in addition to increased federal tax credits.
The cost of photovoltaic modules has decreased approximately 40 percent since the midway mark of 2008. In addition to the lowered cost, greater incentives were given by the U.S. government. The previous tax credit cap of $2,000 for solar installations was ended and was instead changed to 30 percent of all solar installation costs.
Overall, the states in the United States that have the most home installations are California, New Jersey, Florida, Arizona and Colorado.
That is great!! It would be great if the costs got so low that everyone could afford it.