Solar Energy Statistics: Harnessing The Sun’s Power For A Brighter Tomorrow

For the average American a residential solar system is the most recognizable symbol of the broader solar industry. Without a doubt, the rise of the modern solar photovoltaic installer is key to the widespread adoption of renewable energy over conventional fossil fuels. Like other industries, the solar market has evolved dramatically due to the commitment of governments and investments by large corporations and private developers.

The rapid growth in renewable energy capacity globally and within the United States is redefining the present and future of solar photovoltaics and how the electricity generated impacts the environment.

What can solar energy statistics reveal about the past decade and the future of the solar industry?

First and foremost, to say that most solar energy is a gross understatement:

• #1: According to the Department of Energy, every hour and a half, enough sunlight reaches the earth’s surface to meet the world’s energy needs for an entire year.

So why has natural gas, coal, and other energy sources eclipsed solar electricity generation for so long?

The scope of solar energy’s potential is staggering, but harnessing, storing, and utilizing most solar energy has remained elusive.

Despite its abundant availability, a vast majority of this solar potential remains untapped. Until recently, the full realization of solar electricity generation has been limited by several factors.

At least in the United States, the grid built on other traditional fossil fuels has been stable without solar:

• #2: The U.S. grid boasts a 99.95% reliability rate. Per the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, on average customers experience fewer than two outages per year, totaling under five hours of downtime. (National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL))

The lack of demand relegated most solar panels to a niche market. More importantly, the costs of solar photovoltaics were exceptionally higher than other resources. In the 2010s, a dramatic shift in the solar market occurred:

• #3: The costs of solar have fallen by 70% since 2010. A $40,000 residential system of solar panels installed in 2010 now costs around $18,000.

Combined with the global shift towards renewable energy sources, solar power stands out as a key player, promising to revolutionize how we generate and consume electricity. Over the past two decades, continuous advancements in solar technology and decreasing costs have made solar energy more accessible than ever.

• #4: Since 2005, the global photovoltaic capacity has grown from around 5 gigawatts (GW) to approximately 1.18 terawatts (TW) in 2022.

To meet the demand and achieve a long-term vision of utility-scale solar, there remain further achievements and breakthroughs in the design of solar photovoltaics, manufacturing capacity, solar PV capacity, grid integration, and other challenges to solar industry growth.

While the solar capacity installed in the last two decades has reshaped the industry, the sun’s energy is colossal. Only a fraction of the solar energy that reaches the Earth is currently harnessed for electricity generation.

• #5: Only 0.03% of the solar energy available in the U.S. is harnessed to generate electricity.

This untapped potential represents an incredible opportunity for growth in the solar sector. The challenge lies not in the availability of solar energy but in harnessing it more effectively and efficiently. With continuous technological advancements and increasing global awareness, the potential for solar energy to meet a substantial portion of our energy needs is more feasible than ever.

• #6: According to the Energy Information Administration, the electricity generated by a PV solar system can produce enough energy to offset the energy used for its manufacture in as little as 1 to 4 years. (EIA)
• #7: The EIA also notes that most solar PV systems operate for 30 years or more.

For both residential and commercial use, solar has become a more widely accepted source of clean energy. Solar panels installed for homes, businesses, and corporate headquarters are likely to become more normal shortly.

Renewable capacity additions and utility-scale solar are rising exponentially within the US as well. The potential of solar power is vast and largely untapped, and solar continues to offer a beacon of hope for a cleaner, more sustainable future. This exploration sheds light on the significant role solar energy plays in reshaping our energy landscape.

• #8: As per the Energy Information Administration, there are plans by developers and power plant owners to greatly boost utility-scale battery storage in the United States from under 10.0 gigawatts in 2022 to reach 30.0 gigawatts by the end of 2025. (EIA)

The potential for solar photovoltaics is not simply the electricity generated by more sophisticated systems. Just like wind turbines, how much energy that can be stored is key to the viability of renewable energy.

Advances in solar PV capacity are crucial to meeting the vision of the solar industry.

• #9: By 2032, projections from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s Standard Scenarios, which include anticipated increases in capacity and generation, estimate that wind and solar will contribute around 47% of the nation’s electricity. (NREL)

Let’s examine in detail the current state of solar energy in the U.S. and how the solar industry can become a cornerstone of the electricity grid.

Solar power has marked its significance by contributing a growing share of the nation’s electricity. This shift is not just a testament to solar technology’s advancements but also reflects the changing attitudes towards renewable energy in the U.S.

• #10: About 3.4% of the electricity generated in the U.S. is powered by solar energy, up from 2.8% in 2021.

The integration of solar energy into the grid is enhancing energy diversity and security while also playing a crucial role in reducing carbon emissions. The trend towards solar is clear, with solar installations rising and policies increasingly favoring solar energy development.

• #11: To date, the most substantial photovoltaic (PV) systems in the nation can be found in California, generating electricity for utility companies to supply to their clients. The Solar Star PV power station generates 579 megawatts, while both the Topaz Solar Farm and Desert Sunlight Solar Farm have a capacity of 550 megawatts each. (Energy.gov)
• #12: Forty-five percent of the capacity added to the U.S. electrical grid in the first half of 2023 was from solar.

Manufacturing capacity has been an obstacle. Reliance on foreign markets can disrupt supply chains and hinder growth. Recent investments in solar PV manufacturing in Georgia and corporate investments may offset these issues.

• #13: The largest investment in U.S. solar history by Q-cells aims to establish 8.4 GWac of solar panel production capacity by 2024.
• #14: Microsoft plans to purchase 12 GWac of American-made solar panels over the next 8 years, reflecting a growing appetite in the U.S. solar market for domestically manufactured systems.

From large-scale solar farms to residential and community solar systems, the ongoing growth of solar is changing other forms of renewable energy sources.

Among renewable energy sources, solar power has emerged as a dominant force. It surpasses other forms of renewable energy in terms of potential for electricity production, particularly in regions with high solar irradiance.

• #15: Solar accounted for 15.9% of electricity generated by renewable sources in 2022, up from 13.5% in 2021.
• #16: Solar power has more potential for electricity production in the U.S. than any other renewable energy source.

Once installed, solar panels have a significant lifespan.

• #17: According to Solstice.com, there are 40-year-old solar panels that are still operational with 80% or more efficiency.

Solar power is gaining a larger share of the energy mix, driven by its scalability, decreasing costs, and lifespan of solar PV components. The rapid growth in solar installations globally is a testament to solar power’s increasing importance and viability as a key renewable energy source.

Solar energy is increasingly favored by the public for its environmental and cost-saving benefits, driving consumer demand and influencing policy. This growing endorsement is pivotal for the adoption and expansion of solar energy.

• #18: In a recent survey by CBS News, 52% to 57% of Americans would install solar panels if companies offered a payback period of five years or less.
• #19: 235 mayors representing all 50 states have signed Environment America’s “Mayors For Solar Energy” letter.

Legislation significantly influences public acceptance and overall solar industry growth. Government policies and incentives, such as tax credits and subsidies, have reduced barriers to solar energy deployment, boosting installations and aligning with environmental and economic objectives.

• #20: The U.S. has enough renewable energy resources to generate 100 times the country’s electricity needs annually.

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) has marked a significant milestone in the U.S. solar industry. The IRA’s provisions are designed to make solar energy more affordable and accessible, thereby accelerating the transition to renewable energy.

• #21: The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), passed in August 2022, includes incentives for solar power.
• #22: Experts expect to see a 40% increase in solar installations between 2023 and 2027 because of the IRA.
• However, ongoing supply chain constraints within the solar industry will likely prevent Americans from realizing the full benefits of the IRA until at least 2024.

Leading up to the IRA, residential solar system costs in the U.S. decreased, making solar more accessible. New legislation, advancements in technology, market competition, and production scale enhance solar’s attractiveness.

• #23: Solar grew with an average annual rate of 24 percent, reaching a capacity of over 110 gigawatts in 2022.
• #24: For consumers, the average residential solar system costs between $10,290–$20,580 in the U.S.
• #25: The average residential solar system is about 5KW or around 20 solar PV panels.
• #26: While the price of solar is projected to decrease in 2024, solar PV prices will remain 10-15% higher than 2020 levels.

The solar industry continues to evolve rapidly with new developments including solar glass, new solar films, and innovations in usage for water salination plants and solar HVAC emerging each day.

A key example of how rapid developments can change the marketplace is recent capacity increases. Setting new records and demonstrating resilience and innovation despite both supply chain constraints and raw material challenges, market demand cannot be underestimated.

• #27: Solar set new records in 2023 with 67% of the growth.
• #28: In the first half of 2023, nearly 12 GWdc were installed.

Growth in the solar industry translates directly into new workforce opportunities.

As the industry expands, it has created a multitude of job opportunities across various sectors. This employment growth is not just limited to technical roles but extends to sales, management, and support functions.

• #29: The number of solar workers in the U.S. increased by 3.7% between 2021 and 2022.
• #30: There are more than 255,000 workers in the U.S. solar industry, according to the 12th annual National Solar Jobs Census.
• #31: The number of people employed by the solar industry increased in 42 states in 2022. California added the most with 2,404 new solar jobs.
• #32: Solar is now the electric power generation technology that employs the most workers.
• #33: The State of California alone accounts for 38.9% of U.S. solar capacity and 31.7% of solar jobs.

California accounts for the most solar capacity, and solar jobs, and unsurprisingly, leads in home solar installations. These solar energy statistics are vital to understanding the benefits beyond the electricity grid.

Different states in the U.S. have contributed uniquely to the nation’s solar capacity. States like California, Texas, and Florida have led in solar PV capacity, driven by favorable geographic conditions and supportive state policies.

• #34: California added more than 258,000 new systems in 2022.
• #35: Outside of California, Texas, Florida, and North Carolina are states with the largest solar PV capacity.

While large, densely populated, sunny states are sure to lead in the volume of solar farms, solar PV capacity, and adoption of solar panels; the entire nation is looking at solar installation as the future of the electricity grid.

The journey of solar energy, from a niche technology to a cornerstone of global energy production, in the last decade alone is remarkable. These solar energy statistics illuminate the incredible potential and rapid growth of the solar industry. From public enthusiasm to legislative support, the shift towards solar is undeniable. With advancements in technology and reductions in costs, solar energy is not just a sustainable choice but an increasingly accessible one.

At Valve+Meter, we understand the pivotal role of marketing in this solar revolution. We are committed to helping solar companies navigate and capitalize on this growing market through innovative performance marketing strategies.