US to add 9.5 GW utility scale solar in 2016

• US Energy Information Administration (EIA) forecasts 9.5 GW of utility-scale solar installations in 2016 in USA
• That's more than 3X the utility scale solar power plant capacity that was added in 2015 - at 3.1 GW
• California will again be the leader in 2016, by installing 3.9 GW, followed by North Carolina with 1.1 GW
• New utility scale solar might exceed additions from any other single energy source in 2016

Utility scale solar in the US is expected to add 9.5 GW to the grid this year. Solar's share is second in the list of electric generating facilities that will add a total of 26 GW, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). In an announcement on March 1, 2016 it said natural Gas will add only 8 GW, while wind is supposed to contribute 6.8 GW. If EIA is right, then new utility scale solar will exceed additions from any other single energy source.

The expected 2016 growth means that more than 3X the utility scale solar capacity would be added over 2015 – at 3.1 GW . At the same time, this will be more than the total PV power plants for the past three years combined – from 2013 to 2015, the US added 9.4 GW of utility scale solar.

California will continue to lead in the utility-scale segment. It is supposed to add 3.9 GW, North Carolina 1.1 GW, Nevada 0.9 GW, Texas, 0.7 GW and Georgia 0.7 GW.