US solar installed capacity to reach 40GW by 2017

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

The amount of solar capacity installed in the US is forecast to nearly double to 40GW by 2017, up from 20GW in 2014, according to a new video report from the US Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA).

Solar, the fastest growing source of renewable energy in America, will be producing enough energy to power eight million homes by 2017, with all solar markets expected to grow 25-50% in this period. It is expected that 16 states will install more than 100MW solar in this time.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

SEIA's video cited policies such as the Solar investment tax credit (ITC), net energy metering and the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) as major drivers for the growth.

Looking back, since 2010, the average price of a panel has dropped 63%, while the average price for a PV installed systems has dropped 50%.

From 2004 to 2014, cumulative investment in the industry rose from US$2.6 billion to US$71 billion. Installed capacity grew from 500MW to 20GW and the number of utility-scale plants grew from 100 to 1,100.

The US industry currently employs 174,000 people, adding workers at rate 20 times faster than overall economy.

SEIA president and chief executive Rhone Resch said: “In 2004 only two states had 10MW of installed solar capacity, yet a decade later, 35 states had topped that threshold – and 20 states had more than 100MW? But here’s the best news of all: we expect to double our total capacity in the next two years alone.”

Read Next

July 18, 2025
The average price of solar panels used in distributed generation projects in the US reached US$0.27/W by the first half of the year.
July 18, 2025
Companies have signed 4.22GW of solar PV power purchase agreements in the first half of 2025, according to Swiss consultancy Pexapark.
July 18, 2025
PV Tech spoke with international buyers and investors on key industry issues such as new technology equipment procurement, supply chain management and ESG compliance.
Premium
July 18, 2025
Inside the European Solar Academy's steps to equip Europe’s workforce with necessary skills as it approaches its first anniversary.
July 18, 2025
Georgia Power’s 2025 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) will see the utility aim to install 4GW of new renewable power capacity by 2035.
July 18, 2025
Decisions and actions related to the US Department of Interior (DoI) will ‘undergo elevated review’ of solar PV and wind facilities.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Media Partners, Solar Media Events
September 2, 2025
Mexico City, Mexico
Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 22, 2025
Bilbao, Spain
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK