We are three years into what many call the Solar+ decade. America’s solar industry is thriving. The industry continues to expand with new innovations and technologies every day.
SEIA and its partners across the U.S. have set an ambitious goal to see solar energy comprise 30% of all U.S. electricity generation by 2030. Reaching this target requires collaboration throughout the industry to build a strong Solar+ economy. The solar industry has achieved unprecedented momentum in the past three years.
But, the industry must proactively address many challenges to meet the lofty goal of solar comprising 30% of U.S. electricity generation by 2030.
By the decade’s end, the solar workforce must grow from 263,000 Americans to over one million workers. This requires the industry to make massive strides in hiring and training the next generation of workers. We must also focus on retaining these workers. This includes creating opportunities for promotion and even business ownership.
One of the biggest things holding back the clean energy transition is interconnection, the process that connects new energy generation projects with the grid. Over two terawatts of power generation are currently waiting to connect to the grid. Speeding up the interconnection process will significantly increase our power generation capacity.
In July 2023, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued Order No. 2023, containing new rules that significantly reduce interconnection delays if appropriately implemented. The new rules increase how quickly requests in the interconnection queue are processed, replace the previous “first-come, first-served” process with a “first-ready, first-served” process, and incorporate many technological advancements into the interconnection process.
Like many other products, solar units can often be reused or refurbished for a ‘second life’ of power generation for many more years.
While many solar products last for several decades, recycling, refurbishing, and reusing solar energy systems are essential to building a sustainable economy.
Tackling these long-term challenges will help make an affordable green energy future a reality. The solar industry is steadily growing every day. The industry holds itself to a high standard, and as the industry’s goal of 30% of electricity generation by 2030 draws closer, industry-wide challenges must be addressed.
