ME: Provide some statistics and the sources to backup the following:Overview of Solar Power Popularity in Residential Areas Solar power's surge in popularity is no accident. Driven by declining costs, improved technology, and supportive government policies, residential solar installations have skyrocketed. This section will explore how solar panels have become a common sight on rooftops across neighborhoods, symbolizing a commitment to renewable energy and a step towards energy independence.
ChatAI:
The popularity of solar power in residential areas has been on a significant rise, driven by various factors including declining costs, improved technology, and supportive government policies. By the end of 2021, the solar industry had reached around 3.2 million residential installations in the U.S. This represented a remarkable growth rate, with 514,000 new residential solar systems installed in 2021 alone, a 30% increase from the previous year. Furthermore, a continued growth in installations is projected, indicating a strong and ongoing interest in residential solar power. In terms of energy generation, the U.S. produced 114.7 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity from solar in 2021, showcasing a substantial increase over the years. Texas, California, and Florida were noted as the leading states in terms of solar installations, with California generating the most solar energy
.https://theroundup.org/solar-power-statistics/
In 2022, 700,000 American homeowners installed solar panels, and solar energy accounted for 50% of new electricity-generating capacity in the U.S. that year. Six percent of single-family, owner-occupied homes in the U.S. had solar panels as of December 2022. The residential solar market saw a 40% growth from 2021 to 2022, reflecting the increasing adoption of solar power in homeshttps://www.thisoldhouse.com/solar-alternative-energy/reviews/solar-energy-statistics
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Moreover, residential solar power installations in the U.S. grew by 34% from 2020 to 2021, jumping from 2.9 gigawatts to 3.9 gigawatts. This growth continued into 2022, setting consecutive quarterly growth records. The U.S. solar industry installed 6.5 gigawatts of capacity in the third quarter of 2023 alone, a 35% year-over-year increase, and is expected to add a record 33 gigawatts of solar capacity in 2023
https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2023/12/12/u-s-residential-solar-grows-24-through-q3-tempered-expectations-for-2024/
https://www.seia.org/us-solar-market-insight
This data clearly illustrates the growing trend of solar power adoption in residential areas, highlighting its increasing viability and appeal to homeowners across the United States.