The Future of Solar - The Nation's Current Goals

The Future of Solar - The Nation's Current Goals

Since government financial incentives are some of the strongest motivators of citizens going solar, the solar industry’s success is strongly impacted by both federal and state solar policies.

To stay ahead of the curve, it’s important for solar contractors to be familiar with America’s goals for solar power and how that will affect demand.

Here, we’ve given an overview of the country’s solar ambitions and their expected impact on the industry.

Research and Innovation Investments: The Department of Energy has an entire branch dedicated to solar initiatives, known as the the Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO). The office invests in early-stage solar research and development projects that aim to increase the affordability of solar tech, as well as its reliability and performance. With SETO’s support, the cost of solar-generated electricity continues to drop, more solar energy is going into the grid, and solar panel systems are becoming more efficient.

In April of this year, SETO announced that $105.5 million would be distributed to about 70 innovative research projects in four primary domains: advanced solar systems integration technologies, concentrating solar power, photovoltaics, and workforce initiatives for uplifting the solar industry.

All of this is good news for solar contractors, especially the funding that’s going toward the expansion of the solar industry. This investment

in growing America’s solar workforce means that the government anticipates a big increase in demand for solar professionals.

Goals for 2020 In 2011, SETO introduced the SunShot initiative.

It set a goal for the cost of American solar power to reach $0.06 per kilowatt-hour by 2020.

Considering the state of affairs at the time this target was announced, it was a lofty goal. Solar power made up less than 0.1% of the nation’s electricity supply, and the country’s installed capacity was merely 3 gigawatts.

Despite its humble starting point, America reached the goal three years early. By 2017, solar rose to make up more than 1% of the electricity supply, and the installed capacity grew to more than 47 gigawatts. The price of solar power dropped dramatically, going $0.28 to the targeted $0.06 per kilowatt-hour (kWh).

Goals for 2030 After reaching the first target set for 2020, the SunShot initiative was updated with new goals for 2030. SETO is hoping to halve the current price for solar-generated electricity, slashing it to

just $0.03 per kWh. The initiative is also focusing on solving challenges of grid integration, as well as breaking through certain market barriers that are stifling the solar adoption rate.

If America can meet the SunShot goals once again, solar will become one of the country’s cheapest sources of electricity. Achieving the 2030 benchmark will be certain to drive up demand for solar installations everywhere.

Can You Help America Meet its Solar Goals?

Every time a homeowner goes solar, progress is made toward meeting the nation’s goals of expanding solar energy. Solar contractors like you are in a unique position to get more people to make the switch.

By getting ahold of better residential solar leads, you’re helping solar installations become the new standard for America’s homes. At Grid Freedom, we offer the highest quality leads for solar contractors. Visit www.Gridfreedom.com to learn more about how we can connect you with homeowners who are ready and eager to sit down with you.

Grid Freedom, Inc.

Address: Grid Freedom, Inc. 2430 RT 34 Suite 202 Manasquan, NJ 08736 Phone: 855.596.9567 Mail ID: accounts@gridfreedom.com WebSite: www.gridfreedom.com