Reflecting on the Installed Solar Capacity in 2009

Have you ever wondered where the most completed solar installations were in the United States? You’re right if you said California.  It’s by far the leader in installed grid-tied solar capacity, but the other 9 states on the list might be a surprise.  By the end of 2009, California had an installed cumulative capacity of 1,102 megawatts.  The next best state, New Jersey, had only 128 megawatts.  Two New England states, Connecticut and Massachusetts, just barely made the list.

Top 10 States for Grid-tied Cumulative Solar Electric Capacity (according to Solar Energy Industries Association’s 2009 Year in Review Report)

1. California
2. New Jersey
3. Nevada
4. Colorado
5. Arizona
6. Florida
7. New York
8. Hawaii
9. Connecticut
10. Massachusetts

When looking at the entire world, Germany wins the contest of installed capacity hands down with 9,677 megawatts of solar power by the end of 2009.  The United States was fourth on the list, behind Spain and Japan, to about 2,000 megawatts.  The last year has been particularly strong for the U.S. as the solar electric capacity for photovoltaic and solar concentrating systems shot up 37 percent in 2009 compared to 2008.  Early reports for 2010 show significant growth in U.S. solar capacity, but it still may not be enough to catch up with Japan.

Top 10 Countries for Cumulative Solar Capacity (according to Solar Energy Industries Association’s 2009 Year in Review Report)

1. Germany
2. Spain
3. Japan
4. United States
5. Italy
6. Czech Republic
7. France
8. Belgium