Despite the Economy, Solar Industry Reports Record Growth

seia In a world of recent economic down-slide, there’s at least some good news for the solar industry: the Solar Energy Industries Association released its 2008 U.S. Solar Industry Year in Review, and reported a third year of record growth.

The industry reported 1,265 megawatts of solar power of all types were installed in 2008, raising total capacity 17 percent to 8,775 MW. The 2008 figure included 342 MW of solar photovoltaic (PV), 139 MW of solar water heating, 762 MW of pool heating and an estimated 21 MW of solar space heating and cooling.

Some highlights of the report include:

Overall U.S. solar industry capacity increased 17 percent. Installed grid-tied PV increased 58 percent in 2008 from 2007 and grew at a faster rate (81 percent) compared to 2007.
Installed grid-tied PV increased by more than 18,000 installations in 2008 (more than 27 percent) compared to 14,306 installations in 2007.
More than 6 GW (6,090 MW) of utility-scale CSP plants are in the pipeline.
PV manufacturing capacity increased 65 percent, production increased 53 percent.
Solar water heating installation increased 50 percent in 2008 (139 MWTh) over 2007 (93 MWTh).
US leapfrogged Japan and is 3rd after Spain and Germany for new capacity; remains 4th for total cumulative installed solar.

Click here to see the full report (PDF).