U.S. solar energy output up dramatically since 2008

The U.S. installed 22 times more solar power capacity in 2014 than in 2008, according to preliminary numbers from GTM Research. That finding includes both photovoltaics and concentrating solar power. In 2008, the U.S. installed 263 megawatts of solar power. In 2014, based on GTM Research's estimates, the U.S. installed at least 5.7 gigawatts. One company, SolarCity, is booking almost as much solar capacity in one quarter as the entire industry installed in all of 2008.

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