Solar energy will have an explosive year in 2016

Energy Information Administration predicts that solar capacity will break records in the US

Renewable energy is poised to have a monumental year in the United States. The Energy Information Administration has released a new report that shows that solar energy, in particularly, will grow significantly this year. According to the report, some 9.5 gigawatts of utility-scale solar projects will take form in the country. Alongside this, some 8 gigawatts of natural gas and 6.8 gigawatts of wind power project will come into play. If accurate, 2016 will be a record breaking year in terms of new solar installations in the U.S.

Country continues to show strong support for solar power

The federal government has been showing strong support for solar power for some time. The government believes that this form of clean power can have a significant and beneficial impact on the national economy, as new projects will create more jobs throughout the country. Solar power is also expected to help the U.S. move away from fossil-fuels, thereby limiting the production of harmful emissions. The country has committed itself to reduce emissions by a significant degree over the coming years in order to mitigate the impact of climate change.

Report does not account for solar power in the residential sector

The report from the Energy Information Administration only accounts for large-scale projects taking form in the country. It does not show the amount of new capacity being introduced in the residential sector. It is becoming more common for homeowners to installed solar panels on their rooftops, taking advantage of programs that allow them to sell excess electrical power back to state utilities. Such programs have made solar energy particularly popular among homeowners.

Solar capacity expected to skyrocket in 2016

The Energy Information Administration expects solar power to be the clear leader in the clean energy space in 2016. Last year, some 7.3 gigawatts of new solar capacity was installed in the U.S., but the falling cost of photovoltaic technology is making it easier for projects to take form in the U.S. As costs continue to plummet, solar power is likely to become a more heavily supported form of renewable energy.