EIA adds small-scale solar photovoltaic forecasts to its monthly Short-Term Energy Outlook

U.S. Energy Information Administration ------- For the first time, EIA's Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO), to be released later today, includes forecasts for small-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity and electricity generation. EIA forecasts that total U.S. small-scale solar PV capacity will grow from 14.3 gigawatts (GW) at the end of April 2017 to 21.9 GW at the end of 2018. The forecast 2018 capacity includes 13.7 GW in the residential sector and 8.2 GW in the commercial and industrial sectors. Annual U.S. small-scale solar PV electricity generation is expected to grow from 19,467 gigawatthours (GWh) in 2016 to 25,400 GWh this year and 32,900 GWh in 2018. EIA categorizes PV systems that have a generating capacity of less than one megawatt (MW), which are typically installed on business or residential rooftops, as small-scale systems. Small-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) data are based on reported alternating current (AC) capacity and may differ from other capacity estimates that use direct current (DC) ratings of PV panels. Solar PV systems in the residential sector accounted for more than half of U.S. small-scale solar capacity in 2016, even though individual residential PV systems are typically relatively small. The commercial sector, which generally has larger PV systems than the residential sector, accounted for 36% of total small-scale solar capacity last year. The industrial sector accounted for 8% of total small-scale capacity. To learn more click on the picture below to read the article.