Perspective

The U.S. added 362 MW of solar power during the first 4 months of 2015

Latest data from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission shows that the US installed 1.9 GW of new power generation capacity in the first four months (January-April) of 2015, with wind and solar parks accounting for over 1.5 GW. 362 MW of solar power plants came online during this period compared to 937 MW in the same period for 2014. No new large-scale PV capacity was installed in March. At the end of April, the US had 12.26 GW of installed utility-scale solar generating capacity. This represents 1.05% of total installed US operating generating capacity, up from 1.03% at the end […]

By Derick Lila May 28, 20150

362 MW of solar power plants came online during this period compared to 937 MW in the same period for 2014.

No new large-scale PV capacity was installed in March.

At the end of April, the US had 12.26 GW of installed utility-scale solar generating capacity. This represents 1.05% of total installed US operating generating capacity, up from 1.03% at the end of the previous month.

The data also implies that the US did not install any fossil fuel capacity.

The number-one source in terms of operating generating capacity remains natural gas with a total 494 GW, followed by coal with 321.7 GW. All renewables, including hydropower, represent about 200 GW.

Derick Lila

Derick is a Clark University graduate—and Fulbright alumni with a Master's Degree in Environmental Science, and Policy. He has over a decade of solar industry research, marketing, and content strategy experience.