‘King size’ photovoltaics: building 1.3 GW peak of solar power capacity in the USA

The photovoltaic energy sector in the United States is experiencing an era of growth as bright as the sun that powers it. According to estimates by the consulting firm Woods Mackenzie: some 32 gigawatts (GW) of PV will be installed this year, up 52% from the previous year, accounting for 45% of all new renewable capacity planned for 2023 in the country. The firm forecasts a cumulative annual growth of 15% between 2023 and 2028, to reach 375 GW of PV installed in the country, as a result of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). This law contains a wide range of incentives for various economic activities, including renewable energy, among other measures to promote the energy transition.

According to the American Clean Power Association, the IRA will lead to the addition of around 550 GW of new renewable capacity by 2030. The Biden Administration aims to achieve a decarbonized electric power system by 2035, and thirty-seven of the fifty States of the Union have set targets for the development of renewable energies. Based on the renewable development commitments announced in the United States, the IEA predicts that 83% of all electricity generation will be renewable in 2050, with photovoltaic solar (37%) and wind power (35%) as the main generation technologies.

The Solar Futures Study report prepared by the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) goes further and estimates that photovoltaic energy alone could cover 40% of electricity demand in the USA by 2035 and 45% by 2050. This would be done without increasing energy prices because the costs arising from the decarbonization of the electric power system will be offset by the savings gained from technological improvements and greater flexibility in electricity consumption patterns.

The role of ACCIONA Energía

Having been present in the North American renewables market for 20 years, ACCIONA Energía has positioned itself to take an active part in the ‘solar rally’. The company is currently building four photovoltaic projects simultaneously, representing 1.3 GWp of peak power (1 GW nominal power) with a total investment estimated at $1.3 billion.

The new plants located in Texas, Illinois and Ohio will enter service gradually in 2023 and 2024, adding capacity to generate clean energy equivalent to the consumption of more than 210,000 homes and avoiding the emission of 1.3 million tonnes of CO₂ to the atmosphere in the process.

With the incorporation of this photovoltaic energy capacity, the company will practically double its installed capacity in the country, where it currently operates 10 wind farms and the Nevada Solar One CSP with an overall capacity of 1.1 GW.

“2022 was a year during which we had to deal with various challenges from the Auxin anticircumvention petition to the uncertainties around the Inflation Reduction Act, while still recovering from the lingering effects of supply chain issues.  We faced these headwinds by maintaining safe operations, focused on growing our capacity and quickly seizing market opportunities!”  said Joaquin Castillo, CEO of ACCIONA Energía North America.