Remember 2011?
That’s the year Solar Power World emerged from the pages of sister publication Design World, where it had been a supplement, to be its very own magazine. The industry it covered, made up of you and your peers, was beginning to take off, too.
In 2008, Congress committed to an eight-year extension of the commercial and residential solar ITC, which was first introduced in 2005. Following that, solar companies installed 385 MW in 2009, 852 MW in 2010 and then an astounding 1.9 GW of capacity in 2011.
Things were really revving up. And you didn’t slow down. The chart to the right exclaims impressive year-over-year growth. After the industry installed 7.3 GW in 2015 (for a grand total of 27.4 GW overall), Congress again recommitted to the ITC, setting us up for even more progress.
Is it surprising that today we’re celebrating the one-millionth solar installation in the United States?
Is it surprising that come 2018 we’ll be celebrating the second million?
It shouldn’t be—not to anyone who has worked in this industry for more than a few minutes.
Solar power is unstoppable. People within the industry know this. Solar makes a lot of sense, environmentally and economically. As the price of traditional energy sources rises and the costs they impose on the environment are revealed, solar stands ready as the best alternative.
Perhaps one day solar will be the prevailing form of energy. Futurist Ray Kurzweil thinks it’s possible!
Congratulations, solar industry, and good luck on your continued success!
– Editors Steven, Kathie and Kelly
And now, a telling infographic from SEIA:
