By Lindsay Morris.

The U.S. solar electric market grew by over 100 percent in 2010, now exceeding 1 GW of generating capacity.

Solar CEOs gathered at Solar Power International in October were resolute on one matter: the industry will thrive when a National Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard is in place, combined with an extension of the federal tax credit program and federal loan guarantees for the solar industry.
In 2011, the solar growth trend is expected to continue. In the U.S., solar power capacity is predicted to at least double in 2011, said Julia Hamm, CEO of SEPA. This growth will be caused in part by falling prices for everything from manufacturing costs to panel prices. Yet the main driver for U.S. solar development in the next year will not be price, but policy.

According to an October 25 report by Bloomberg New Energy Finance, policy measures such as tax credits, capital expenditure grants, incentives and renewable electricity credits will be key drivers of U.S. solar for at least the next three years.

“Policy, rather than sunshine, will remain the U.S.’s greatest solar resource for the next few years,” ….

Read more at RENEWABLE ENERGY WORLD.COM