By Shelby Shank
Field Editor
Solar energy is rapidly growing across the U.S., marking a significant shift in how electricity is generated and consumed.
Over the last decade, solar energy production has grown by an average of 25% per year, and installation costs have dropped more than 40%, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA).
The SEIA, which tracks trends in the solar industry, reports that as of June 2024, 200 gigawatts (GW) of solar energy have been installed across the U.S., generating enough power for 36 million homes.
In 2023, solar accounted for 55% of all new electricity generation capacity, and by the first quarter of 2024, it surged to 75%.
The expansion of solar energy has been financially aided by federal policies and incentives, like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Inflation Reduction Act and solar investment tax credits. These initiatives, combined with declining costs, have made…
