GTM Research and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) released a report which finds that U.S. solar photovoltaic (PV) installations increased 109% in 2011 to reach 1.85 GW. GTM and SEIA’s U.S. most recent “Solar Market Insight” report estimates that the U.S. installed 776 MW of PV plants in the fourth quarter of 2011 alone, with the total value of the U.S. solar market growing to more than USD 8.4 billion in 2011.
The organizations attribute this growth to an estimated 20% fall in system prices, driven by lower module costs, as well as a rush to complete projects before the expiration of the Section 1603 Treasury Grant Program.