A report of the American Solar Energy Association (SEIA) and GTM Research industry research agencies recently released that in 2012 due to the completion of a large number of utility projects, the rapid growth of the U.S. PV installed capacity by 76%, to a record 3313 MW.
The report noted that in 2013 the U.S. PV installed capacity growth may be slowing, is expected to increase about 30%, the total installed capacity is expected to reach 4300 MW; By 2016, the U.S. PV market will usher in a new development, installed capacity will also be a new round of significant growth.
According to the report statistics, as of the end of 2012, the cumulative installed capacity of PV Grid USA has reached 7221 MW. Among them, the 10 largest utility-scale PV projects have been achieved and eight net installed capacity of utility-scale PV projects growth doubled, reaching 1782 MW; has a installed capacity of 4000 MW utility-scale PV projects under construction; otherwise more than 8000 MW of power purchase agreement has been signed.
As the nation's largest solar market, California in 2012 another record of installed capacity, 1,033 MW of new installed capacity; followed by Arizona, New installed capacity of 710 MW; 2012 New Jersey installed 415 MW, the total installed capacity reached 1,043 MW, up 26% compared to 2011. Although this year's solar installed capacity growth may slow down, but New Jersey is still expected to become the nation's second largest market for commercial-type solar; addition, Massachusetts 2012 new PV installed capacity of 129 MW, 74 MW of new installed capacity in Maryland .
In 2012, the U.S. market accounted for 11% of the global PV market reached its highest level in 15 years. The report pointed out that this has a great relationship with the 2012 U.S. PV market continues to maintain a state of oversupply. 2012 U.S. new PV projects installed prices fell by about 27%, driven by the market as a whole add about 90,000 photovoltaic systems.
At the same time, according to the report, the U.S. residential solar market last year to achieve a project to install 488 MW, an increase of 62%. In additional 83,000 residential solar systems, more than 50% by leasing and purchase agreement, completed by a third-party funding. GTM predicts that by 2016, residential solar market size is expected to reach such third-party-funded $ 5.7 billion.
In addition, the report predicts that in 2013 the U.S. solar thermal solar market will grow substantially. The main reason is the company is located in California's BrightSource 392 trillion Wayiwanpa power stations, as well as Abengoacompany in Arizona Solana 280 MW power plant is nearing completion. Last year, the company is located just Cogentrix Colorado 30 trillion 瓦阿拉莫薩 solar thermal solar projects into production.
? The report also pointed out that this small-scale utility-scale solar market in the U.S. is expected to grow, especially small systems 1 MW to 5 MW, while the place was mainly concentrated in North Carolina and California.
However, growth in the U.S. solar market and can not long remain. The report notes that with the new projects being completed, it is expected within the next two years, the U.S. solar installed capacity will more than likely a temporary decline. Although the future will be entered into a number of new power purchase agreement, but with many utility companies will face the signing of a new contract of renewable energy standards, the development of utility-scale solar projects will gradually slow down.
Investors are also very optimistic about the U.S. solar market. January of this year, "Warren" Buffett's MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company to spend $ 2.5 billion to acquire PV power plant project power in the hands of the sun from the United States. According to SEIA and GTM joint report released this year, the U.S. solar market financing will also be somewhat diverse, such as real estate investment trusts, funds, issuance of securities, etc. are likely to gain a firm foothold in the solar market.
In addition, solar energy has become in 2012 the most jobs created in the U.S. clean energy industry. Data show that only the last quarter of 2012, the solar industry in the United States has created about 3,300 jobs, more than the sum of jobs in wind, biomass, biogas, geothermal energy creation. Among them, the power sector to create jobs the most, followed by manufacturing, storage, transmission and other fields. Meanwhile, the booming solar market also led the U.S. auto industry, as well as some of the clean energy industry to support employment. Places of employment situation in the U.S. West Coast is best where the most prosperous solar industry jobs in California up to create geographically.