The U.S. installed 252 megawatts of solar-panel generators in the first quarter, up two-thirds over the same period a year ago, while U.S. factories produced 348 megawatts of solar panels, a third more than a year ago, according to a study released Thursday.
The
U.S.
installed 252 megawatts of solar-panel generators in the first quarter, up
two-thirds over the same period a year ago, while
U.S.
factories produced 348 megawatts of solar panels, a third more than a year ago,
according to a study released Thursday.
Solar-panel installations for companies, government organizations and other
non-residential properties more than doubled in the first quarter, driving much
of the growth, according to the study, by GTM Research of Boston.
Meanwhile,
U.S.
factories, primarily in the West and
Midwest
,
ramped up production of solar equipment, particularly facilities that serve the
domestic market, according to the study.
U.S.
solar-panel installations are likely to double this year over 2010 to roughly
1,800 megawatts, helped by a steep drop in European demand and
U.S.
renewable energy incentives, the firm predicted. That figure includes nearly
900 megawatts of utility-scale solar farms expected to be completed this year. It
does not include nearly 60 megawatts of solar-thermal power development,
according to the study.
Almost half of
U.S.
solar-panel systems were installed in
California
, with
about one-sixth in
New Jersey
and
the rest in
Arizona
,
Pennsylvania
,
Colorado
,
New
York
and other states.
Lower prices for solar panels and other equipment together with state
government-backed incentives have driven the growth, GTM Research said.
A rush by solar-power developers to start construction before the
Dec. 31, 2010
, expiration of a key federal
incentive also drove the boost in first-quarter project completiosn, GTM
Research said.
In December, Congress extended the incentive program, which offers eligible
solar-power developers cash in the amount of a 30% investment tax credit for
renewable energy projects, for another year.
As global prices for solar panels have fallen, prices for
U.S.
installed solar-panel systems fell over the fourth quarter by 6% for
non-residential projects, to an average of $5.35 a watt, and by 5% to $3.85 a
watt for utility-scale projects, GTM Research found. The average solar-system
price for homeowners remained flat at $6.40 a watt.
The first quarter of 2012 is likely to resemble this year's, as developers once
again scramble to start construction before the end of 2011, when the incentive
expires, and many projects are completed the following year, GTM Research
predicted.
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