Is solar power booming?

Solar power is booming. Over the past decade, solar energy capacity in the U.S. has grown by an average of 25% each year, hitting a new high in 2024, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association. Most residential solar systems are designed to supplement your home’s energy needs.

Does residential solar power generate a lot of electricity?

While residential solar power currently generates just a fraction of the country’s overall electricity, it has continued to grow rapidly in recent years, despite COVID-19-related supply chain issues, import restrictions and other obstacles.

How much energy does a home use a year?

The average US home uses about 11,000 kilowatt hours per year, meaning residential solar panels generated enough electricity to power 3.4 million homes in 2022. Solar energy is one of the fastest-growing renewable energy sources in the US, according to the Department of Energy.

Are solar panels a good option for your home?

Residential solar panels allow you to pull less energy from the grid. With the addition of solar batteries, solar panels could make your home self-reliant and independent from the electric grid. Solar batteries store energy created during sunny hours, allowing it to be used at night or on cloudy days.

How much solar energy does a home use in 2022?

In 2022, residential solar panels generated 37 million megawatt-hours, accounting for 18% of all solar energy in the US, according to the Energy Information Administration. The average US home uses about 11,000 kilowatt hours per year, meaning residential solar panels generated enough electricity to power 3.4 million homes in 2022.

Is solar energy a viable energy source?

Solar energy is particularly interesting in this respect as it has the potential to be used at commercial as well as household level; however, to this end, its contribution to global energy supply has remained limited.