Solar Beats U.S. Import Tariff to Become Biggest Source of Power

Back in early 2018, something remarkable happened in the United States. For the very first time, solar energy produced more electricity than both gas and wind combined during the first quarter of the year. That's no small feat, especially when you consider the rapid growth in solar panel installations, which surged by 13% in just the first four months of 2018. This incredible progress means solar accounted for a staggering 55% of all new electricity generation added during that period.

Even more impressive? Solar managed to outperform new wind turbines and natural-gas turbines for the second consecutive quarter. Figures from the Solar Energy Industries Association and GTM Research show that developers installed a whopping 2.5 gigawatts of solar capacity in the first three months of 2018 alone. To put that into perspective, it’s equivalent to powering millions of homes with clean energy.

What makes this achievement even more noteworthy is that it happened despite the import tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump at the end of January 2018. These tariffs slapped a hefty 30% fee on all overseas materials entering the U.S., which many believed would severely hinder the growth of renewable energy. Yet, against all odds, solar power not only survived but thrived.

Resilience in the Face of Adversity

This goes to show that the demand for solar energy is incredibly resilient and future-proof. No matter what regulatory hurdles the U.S. government throws at the industry, solar continues to grow stronger. The sheer popularity and necessity of solar power mean that the sector has weathered these challenges without skipping a beat.

Abigail Ross Hopper, CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association, called this a milestone moment for solar energy. She noted, “Solar has become a common-sense option for much of the U.S., and its momentum is simply unstoppable, even in the face of the tariffs.”

Looking Across the Pond: What Can We Learn?

Of course, while we're thrilled for our friends in the U.S., we can't help but wonder how we can top their achievements here in the UK. Solar energy is definitely gaining traction in Britain, and there’s no shortage of enthusiasm among homeowners and businesses alike. However, compared to the U.S., we’ve got some catching up to do.

One thing that sets the U.S. apart is their ability to harness solar power on a massive scale. Here in the UK, we’ve made great strides, but we could learn a lot from their approach. Knowledge sharing plays a big role—just look at our Trustpilot page! It’s filled with glowing reviews from satisfied customers who have embraced solar energy. They rave about how joining the solar community has transformed their lives, saving money and helping the planet.

If you’re interested in becoming part of this growing movement, why not get in touch? Give us a call at 0800 112 3110, or fill out an enquiry form right here. Together, let’s make solar energy the norm in the UK and maybe, just maybe, we can catch up with—or even surpass—the U.S. in the years ahead!