In the first quarter of 2024, American solar panel manufacturing increased 71 percent, according to a press release from the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). Eleven gigawatts of new solar manufacturing capacity came online during the first quarter. Total capacity of American solar manufacturing now exceeds 26 gigawatts per year.
The American solar industry also installed more than 11.8 gigawatts of capacity, which meant American solar has now reached the 200-gigawatt milestone of installed capacity. The U.S. added 40 gigawatts of capacity in 2023, and the industry is expected to hit that same number in 2024.
Florida and Texas, spurred by large utility-scale projects, are leading the charge for the U.S.’s increased capacity. New Mexico and Ohio also had strong first quarters for installed capacity, according to SEIA.
While the residential solar market faces challenges due to new state solar-unfriendly regulation, SEIA says it expects the commercial solar market to remain strong.
Greg Zimmerman is senior contributing editor for FacilitiesNet.com and Building Operating Management magazine.
