Residential Solar Panels Doubled Electricity Production in 2009

Solar panel installations generated twice as much electricity in 2009

We posted this week about the fact that the home solar market doubled in 2009.  Now, we get word that residential solar panels doubled electricity production in 2009!  In other words, from 2008 to 2009, twice as much solar electricity was generated by solar panel installations.

According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, in 2009, residential solar panels produced an estimated 156 megawatts of electricity, up from 78 megawatts in 2008.

There are several factors that have contributed to the increase in electricity production by rooftop solar panels in the U.S.

First, the cost of PV panels fell about 40% from 2008 to 2009.

Second, tax incentives and rebates have been offered at the federal, state and local level – across the board.  These offerings can save homeowners an additional 30-80% of the retail cost of solar panels.

PV Panels on the rise in the U.S.

Notwithstanding the current recession, projections are even brighter for residential solar panels in 2010.  People have continued to invest in PV panel systems due to the falling prices and generous incentive programs.  Many in the industry are expecting 2010 to be a “break out year” for solar.

Even with doubled solar electricity production, the U.S. still has a way to go to catch up with other countries worldwide.  Currently, it stands in 4th place with respect to solar installations, following Germany, Italy and Japan.

In 2009, only 1% of all energy generated in the U.S. is from solar panels or solar utility farms.  But this number will increase due to renewable energy mandates of individual states (California, for example, has targeted production of 33% of its energy from renewable resources by 2020).

Perhaps not surprisingly, California leads the nation in solar panel installations.  New Jersey, Florida, Arizona and Colorado round out the top 5 solar electricity producers in the U.S.

Tags: cost PV panels, cost solar panels, generate solar power, home solar market, residential solar panels, rooftop solar panels, solar electricity, solar panel home, solar panel installations