When we look back 15 years from now, historians will probably draw a red circle around the year “2013” — this was the year when solar power metamorphosed from a “fringe” energy technology to a mainstream option.

Industrial solar power has been in use for decades in discrete industries, but until recently, residential builders shied away from solar. But in 2013, the industry began booming, and America is now poised to surpass world solar leader, Germany, according to a report from the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA).

Rhone Resch, the CEO of SEIA, said “without a doubt 2013 will go down as a record-shattering year for the U.S. solar industry… we have now joined Germany, China and Japan as worldwide leaders when it comes to installation of new solar capacity.”

In the third quarter of 2013, the number of megawatts and photovoltaics installed was 35% up from 2012 numbers; and the 2013 Q3 numbers even handily beat the 2013 Q2 numbers, suggesting that momentum may be building.

More excitingly, the number of residential photovoltaic installations is up by 45% from 2012 numbers. Already, solar energy provides enough power to fuel 1.7 million homes in the U.S. This extra “shot in the arm” of 250 megawatts of power is the energy equivalent of taking 2 million vehicles off U.S. highways… or planting hundreds of millions of trees – nearly one tree for every person living in the United States.

So what does it mean for you, if you own a business or home in the Bay Area?

Contact the Bay Area Solar Roof Installers

The popularity of solar means that the technology is becoming more and more affordable, and more and more support services are developing around it. To explore whether solar roofing or another solar solution may be right for you, connect with Century Roof & Solar today for a thorough and free estimate. Call us today at (510) 780-9489.