Christine Ho, christine.ho@sierraclub.org
Washington D.C. — Today, the Solar Energy Industries Association reported a record high in domestic solar energy production in its quarterly Solar Market Insight Report.
With support from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), solar energy added 8.6 GW of capacity in the third quarter of 2024—a 21 percent increase from Q3 2023 with solar manufacturing capacity nearly quintupling since the passage of the IRA. Solar energy accounted for 64 percent of all new electricity capacity added to the U.S. grid in this past quarter, and can now power over 37 million homes. Additionally, utility-scale solar production reached a historic high by installing 6.6 GW in Q3, marking a 44 percent increase from this time period last year.
In 2022, the Biden Administration signed its landmark Inflation Reduction Act into law to incentivize the energy sector to take bold action and transition the U.S. from dirty, expensive fossil fuels to clean, affordable renewable energy. Since the law’s passage, energy companies have steadily invested in domestic solar projects that have resulted in milestones like the data in today’s report.
In response, Sierra Club’s Director of Climate Policy and Advocacy Patrick Drupp issued the following statement:
“The United States is the birthplace of solar power, and thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act we're in the middle of a solar manufacturing boom, revitalizing the industry and helping to deploy record amounts of solar energy.
“Today’s report is a reaffirmation that we are on track to a greener and healthier future, and we must not stop now. The investments in renewable energy have brought innovative projects to communities across the country, created millions of jobs, provided low-cost energy, and bolstered our domestic manufacturing sector. It is crucial that we leave dirty fossil fuels behind, and continue to build on the progress that we have made.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.