This figure represents an increase of 79% over the same period in 2013

May 30, 2014 13:43 GMT  ·  By
Report says the US added 1,330MW of solar PV capacity during the first three months of 2014
   Report says the US added 1,330MW of solar PV capacity during the first three months of 2014

Just yesterday, the United Kingdom saw fit to brag about how, during the first three months of 2014, its wind and hydro power industry produced 55% more energy than it did during the same period last year.

As it turns out, the United States too has something to brag about, and this something is a considerable increase in its solar power capacity, Eco Watch tells us.

In a report shared with the public by the Solar Energy Industries Association, specialists detail that, during this year's first quarter, the country managed to add a capacity of 1,330MW of solar PV to its energy portfolio.

When compared to the amount of solar PV capacity that the country installed during the same period back in 2013, the one documented this year represents an increase of 79%.

“Solar accounted for 74 percent of all new U.S. electric capacity installed in Q1 2014, further signaling the rapidly increasing role that solar is playing in the energy market,” says Shayle Kann with GTM Research.

All in all, the United States now has an installed solar capacity of 14.8GW. This capacity is estimated to be more than enough to power as many as 3 million households and displace 18 billion pounds of coal or 1.8 billion gallons of gasoline.