2012 Solar Installations Taking Off in USA

The rise in U.S. solar power installations isn't the result of homegrown panel manufacturers having tremendous success. Instead, installers are taking advantage of cheap Chinese panels and passing the savings along to consumers.

Stats show that 2012 panel installations will surpass the combined installation totals from 2000 to 2010 which is 2,500 megawatts, the equivalent of two nuclear power plants. According to GTM Research the price per watt has decreased 97% since 1975.

Great for US installation companies and not so good for U.S. panel manufacturers. The consumer benefits from more cheaply produced foreign goods as in any other industry. But, U.S. manufacturing jobs are lost and companies struggle to compete in a global market. That imbalance is what makes a market.

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