Utility-scale solar power projects now provide nearly 5,000 megawatts of generating capacity in the United States. Another 27,000 megawatts is under development. This is enough to power more than 5 million homes.
Most of this growth in solar power has come in the past few years. And it has been largely driven by two things: state renewable portfolio standards that mandate the use of green energy and federal tax credits. Many states are getting close to their renewable goals and federal tax credits are scheduled to drop dramatically in 2016. So will growth in utility-scale solar continue?
The Department of Energy expects further growth, in part because of its SunShot initiative, which seeks to continue the dramatic reductions in the cost of solar power that have been going on in recent years. They project a scenario in which about 14% of the country’s electricity demand will be met by solar plants by 2030.
There are already places where solar power is the most economical choice, even without any incentives. Concentrating solar power plants like the Solana plant in Arizona incorporate energy storage that allows the plant to generate power for six hours after the sun goes down. If solar power plants can incorporate energy storage, utility-scale solar power makes a lot of sense.
As solar technology gets cheaper and more efficient and if energy storage technologies continue to improve, utilities are almost certain to continue to expand the use of solar energy in their mix of generating sources.
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For Utility-Scale Solar Industry, Key Questions About the Future
Photo, taken July 26, 2008, courtesy of David Blaikie via Flickr.
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Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio. Support for Earth Wise comes from the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook, NY.