Facts on Energy: Solar

By Institute for Energy Research, CanadaFreePress.com

Statistics

In 2008, solar represented 0.09 percent of all energy consumed in the U.S. [1] and 0.02 percent of all electricity generated in the U.S.[2]

* In 2008, solar generating capacity in the U.S. totaled 514 megawatts and generated 843 million kilowatt hours.[3] Solar turbines generated only a percentage of their theoretical maximum output due to their intermittency (the sun does not always shine).

* In 2006, photovoltaic cell and module shipments totaled 337 megawatts, and were estimated at 430 megawatts in 2007. These include communications, transportation, health, and grid-interactive and remote electric generation applications. [4]

* Due to incentives in the stimulus and to state mandates highlighted below, the Energy Information Administration projects solar thermal and photovoltaic generating capacity in the electric power sector to increase to 0.60 gigawatts by 2010, 1.02 gigawatts by 2020, and 1.24 gigawatts by 2030. End-use photovoltaic capacity is expected to grow to 1.86 gigawatts in 2010, 10.78 gigawatts in 2020, and 12.3 gigawatts in 2030. Together, generation from solar is projected to increase to 4.12 billion kilowatt hours by 2010, 20.11 billion kilowatt hours by 2020, and 23.22 billion kilowatt hours by 2030. This level of projected solar generation in 2030 represents 0.46 percent of total U.S. electricity generation.[5]

* Because solar power is available only when the sun shines and varies with the seasons of the year, statements about how solar units can produce enough electricity to serve a large number of homes are misleading. Since a solar unit cannot supply power continuously, dispatchable generators (usually fossil-fuel) are required to provide back-up power to the system.

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