Reference · free to cite
U.S. solar statistics, at a glance
The headline numbers on U.S. solar, capacity, growth, payback, net metering, and incentives, compiled from public NREL, EIA, and DSIRE data. Every figure links back to its source; quote them freely with attribution.
- 124 GW
- installed, 2024
- 126×
- growth since 2010
- 41/51
- full net metering
- 137
- incentive programs
Key figures
Crawlable, citable statistics with units and source. As of 2024.
- 124 GW
- U.S. installed solar capacity (2024)EIA
- 126×
- growth in installed capacity since 2010EIA
- 6,496
- reported U.S. solar facilities (2024)EIA
- 5.2 yr
- fastest state payback (Hawaii)PlainSolarData model
- 41/51
- states with full retail net meteringDSIRE
- 137
- tracked state/utility incentive programsDSIRE
- 4.82
- avg U.S. irradiance (kWh/m²/day)NREL
- 14.2 yr
- avg modeled state paybackPlainSolarData model
U.S. installed solar capacity, 1990–2024
Top 10 states by installed solar capacity
Nameplate MW reported to the EIA, 2024
- CA
California
22,563 MW
- TX
Texas
22,466 MW
- FL
Florida
10,952 MW
- NC 6,785
North Carolina
6,785 MW
- AZ 5,337
Arizona
5,337 MW
- NV 5,285
Nevada
5,285 MW
- GA 5,014
Georgia
5,014 MW
- VA 4,691
Virginia
4,691 MW
- OH 3,238
Ohio
3,238 MW
- IL 2,954
Illinois
2,954 MW
What this shows California and Texas lead U.S. installed capacity.
U.S. solar policy & market milestones
- 1997 State Policy
First State RPS (Nevada)
First renewable portfolio standard.
Started 30+ state clean energy mandates.
- 2006 Federal
Solar ITC Extended (30%)
30% ITC for residential and commercial solar.
Installations grew 10x from 2006-2012.
- 2010 Industry
U.S. Reaches 1 GW Solar
First gigawatt of cumulative solar capacity.
Milestone via utility-scale Southwest projects.
- 2010 Industry
Community Solar Launches
Colorado first community solar garden.
Solar access for renters in 40+ states.
- 2016 State Policy
Net Metering in 43 States
43 states had mandatory net metering policies.
Primary incentive for residential solar.
- 2021 Industry
U.S. Reaches 100 GW Solar
Enough to power 18 million homes.
Fastest-growing electricity source.
- 2022 Federal
IRA Extends ITC to 2032
30% ITC extended through 2032 with adders.
10-year certainty for solar investment.
- 2023 State Policy
California NEM 3.0
Export compensation reduced ~75%.
Shifted economics toward battery storage.
- 2023 Industry
Solar Employs 263K Workers
U.S. solar industry employs 263,000+ workers.
Largest clean energy employer in most states.
- 2024 Industry
U.S. Surpasses 200 GW
200 GW across all sectors.
~6% of U.S. electricity generation.
Milestones compiled by PlainSolarData from public DOE, EIA, and industry records.