API Energy Report Says Solar Will Double In 2015-16

[ScienceRocks]

API Energy Report Says Solar Will Double In 2015-16
API Energy Report Says Solar Will Double In 2015-16 CleanTechnica
January 7th, 2015 by Sandy Dechert

Yes, you did hear that right. For the first time ever, speaking for the oil and gas industry, the American Petroleum Institute is including solar among the energy sources that should be taken seriously in the next couple of years.

API’s State of American Energy Report, released yesterday, includes a serious analysis of the U.S. solar energy industry. The API energy study highlights the explosive growth of solar and its significant effects on the nation’s economy and environment. Its bottom line: “Today, the U.S. has an estimated 20.2 GW of installed solar capacity, enough to effectively power nearly 4 million homes in the United States—or every single home in a state the size of Massachusetts or New Jersey—with another 20 GW in the pipeline for 2015-16.”

Solar comes up fourth in the report, predictably following most of the big spenders: petroleum, nuclear, and hydroelectric power. Geothermal comes after solar, then a special section on “Infrastructure—The Essential Link to a Secure Energy Future,” and subsequent discussions of natural gas, wind, coal, and biomass. The API energy report finishes up with a word about “Energy Efficiency | A Great American Success Story.”

The petroleum industry’s annual report summarizes the impact of solar power in this paragraph:


Solar energy is now more affordable than ever. According to SEIA/GTM Research, national blended average system prices have dropped 53 percent since 2010. Today, the solar industry employs 143,000 Americans and pumps more than $15 billion a year into the U.S. economy.

Discussing the impact of solar energy on the environment, the API energy report praises the efforts of policymakers for instituting the Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), Net Energy Metering (NEM), and Renewable Energy Standards (RES). “Solar helped to offset an estimated 20 million metric tons of harmful CO2 emissions in 2014, which is the equivalent of taking four million cars off U.S. highways…. When looking at America’s energy future, solar can be a real game changer, providing more and more homes, businesses, schools and government entities across the United States with clean, reliable and affordable electricity, while also helping states to meet proposed new obligations under Section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act.”
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Solar will probably go up to another 7gw year this year! Probably first or second biggest installed source of energy.

 

[ScienceRocks]

The API forecast 9gw of solar this year!

 

[Tom Sweetnam]

No, I don't think so. We've only got one sun so how can solar double?

 

[ScienceRocks]

around 7gw installed in 2014 to around 13gw in 2016. nearly double.

 

[Politico]

And none of it at your house.

 

[waltky]

Let's hope so.

 

[Old Rocks]

And none of it at your house.

So what? Doesn't have to be to benefit me.

 

[ScienceRocks]

Desert Sunlight, Another 550MW Solar Farm From First Solar, Now Fully Operational

Yet another half-gigawatt solar power project is coming on-line in California.

Late last year, the 550-megawatt capacity Topaz Solar project achieved full commercial operation and claimed the title of largest solar plant on-line in the world.

And now Topaz has to share the crown with First Solar's 550-megawatt Desert Sunlight project in Riverside, Calif., which went all-on this month, according to the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) website.

Appears to be economic and a smart move to me.

 

[Mr. H.]

When I go quoting the API on oil/gas industry matters, the source gets slammed as an industry mouthpiece.
Go figger.