GTM, SEIA: U.S. PV Installations Double to Reach 1.85 GW in 2011
GTM Research and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) released a report which finds that U.S. solar photovoltaic (PV) installations increased 109% in 2011 to reach 1.85 GW. GTM and SEIA’s U.S. most recent "Solar Market Insight" report estimates that the U.S. installed 776 MW of PV plants in the fourth quarter of 2011 alone, with the total value of the U.S. solar market growing to more than USD 8.4 billion in 2011.
The organizations attribute this growth to an estimated 20% fall in system prices, driven by lower module costs, as well as a rush to complete projects before the expiration of the Section 1603 Treasury Grant Program.
"In 2011, the market demonstrated why the U.S. is becoming a center of attention for global solar," said Shayle Kann, managing director of GTM Research’s solar practice. "It was the first year with meaningful volumes of large-scale PV installations; there were 28 individual PV projects over 10 megawatts in 2011, up from only two in 2009."
"Furthermore, the market continued to diversify nationally; eight states installed more than 50 megawatts of solar each last year, compared to just five in 2010. These are all indicators of a vibrant market."
The commercial PV market was largest in 2011 with 800 MW of PV installed, led by California and New Jersey, closely followed the utility market’s 758 MW of installations, roughly triple 2010 levels. Residential installations represented 297 MW during the year, led again by California with 114 MW.
While California continues to be the largest state market at 542 MW, New Jersey and Arizona both dramatically increased their share of the overall U.S. PV market, representing 313 MW and 273 MW of new installations respectively during the year. New Mexico also jumped to fourth place, with 116 MW of new PV, almost exclusively from utility-scale PV installations.
No concentrating solar power (CSP) plants were commissioned in the U.S. in 2011, however GTM and SEIA note that several very large CSP plants are currently under construction and are expected to come online in the next few years.
The companies estimate that with the new 2011 installations, the U.S. has reached 3.95 GW of installed PV. The companies predict that in 2012, the U.S. will install more than 2.8 GW of PV, followed by an annual market growth rate of 30% through 2016.
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