By Feb 2016, the United States would have hit an important landmark in solar power – it will have 1 million houses with solar panels on their rooftops, says this news report.
There are about 125 million households in the US (includes those in apartment complexes), so a million of a hundred million is not exactly something huge, but consider this: the country had less than 30,000 houses with panels by end of 2006 but by 2013 end this had risen to 400,000 – 13 fold in just seven years. In just about 2 years, this would have grown two and a half fold to reach 1 million.
This growth has been – and is being – driven by fast falling costs for solar (For comparison, in 2006, it cost $9 per watt of power generated by solar panels. Today, it’s about $3.5 per watt in the US)
I would say this is quite creditable, given that rooftop solar cost has not yet reached grid parity for the US residential sector (see this post for the levelized cost of rooftop solar power in the US).
Just imagine what the growth could be once the cost of rooftop solar in the US reaches grid parity – which, according to Solar Mango analysis, should happen by 2017 for many states.
Dear Mr. Narasimhan, first i would like to congratulate you for all your efforts done in solar field….with the time I hope the way you are working, its going to help a lot and build a strength in nation
Secondly as a new entrepreneur like me was inspired a lot about solar, solar plant….how they can help country , save environment and make money, all in one go by your efforts. I had learnt a lot from the Solar Mango Guide and after being inspired I am working in MLM marketing and going to come with innovative ideas so that we can reach in deep of our rural part of India, Your job in this solar field is incredible, If you kindly permit I would like to mention about you in my web site which is going to get hosted in few days, in which i want to mention about you and your efforts to promote SOLAR…Your task is going to be always praised
Thanks a lot in advance, i will wait for your mail if you have some spare time for me