Summary

A recent study notes that home solar power installations grew 7 percent in 2018, a trend that will continue this year, particularly in California, that in December approved a new home solar mandate requiring the installation of solar panels in all new homes starting in 2020.

==========================

Main Article:

More solar panels are making their way onto people’s homes and businesses, and solar farms are growing in popularity as the country expands the use of renewable energy.

This was confirmed by a recent study from energy and research consultancy group Wood Mackenzie Power & Renewables, which reports that residential solar installations grew 7 percent last year, more than expected.

And they expect that trend to continue this year, when they forecast a 14 percent growth in overall U.S. solar installations, reversing a 2 percent drop in 2018. Annual installations last year totaled 10.6 GW.

This year, Wood Mackenzie predicts more than 12 GW capacity. 

The research firm bases some of this growth on the new California solar mandate approved in December that will require solar panels to be added to all new homes built in the state beginning in 2020. The state is also considering a Solar Bill of Rights, which would further push the installation of solar equipment.

Other states leading the solar panel charge are Texas, North Carolina, Florida and Nevada.

There’s caution, however, because of global module oversupply, declining module tariffs, and the reduction of the Investment Tax Credit, which covers solar panel installation for homes and businesses. 

Through 2021, researchers at Wood Mackenzie expect residential solar panel installation growth could range from 4 to 19 percent. 

According to the analysts, solar power was one of the top two sources of new electricity generating capacity in U.S., only behind natural gas.

Solar jobs in the U.S.

The National Solar Jobs Census for 2018, a report by solar advocacy organization The Solar Foundation, found that in November 2018, there were about 242,000 solar workers across the United States, a decrease from the 250,000 counted the previous year.

However, the researchers point to a 70 percent increase in solar employment from 2013-2018, and estimate a 7 percent gain in 2019. 

In fact, solar companies are still having difficulty finding qualified candidates for available jobs.