Ask an Expert

Thanks for contacting the SunShot Solar Outreach Partnership via the US Department of Energy's 'Ask an Expert' portal with your question regarding the amount of installed solar capacity on a state by state basis in the U.S.  The 'Ask an Expert' portal is primarily intended for a local government audience. The SunShot Solar Outreach Partnership has been tasked with helping accelerate adoption of photovoltaic (PV) solar at the local level by providing timely and actionable information to local governments.

The latest public data on total installed solar capacity by state can be found in the Interstate Renewable Energy Council's Solar Market Trends 2011 report (published in Aug. 2012). The report contains data through the end of 2011. I think the table you are looking for is in Appendix C.

More up-to-date information can be purchased from consulting and market data firms like PHOTON, Lux Research or GTM. For example, GTM's latest market report is available for purchase here (not that we are recommending GTM or that you should purchase it):

In regard to your clarification on RPS goals, you should consider all other RPS-eligible technologies, not just solar (I assume you are primarily interested in solar PV) as some states have solar PV "carve-outs" in their RPS while others do not. Comprehensive RPS performance analysis by state can be hard to come by. The latest public report that we are aware of is the National Renewable Energy Laboratory report from 2008.

However, each state with an RPS will likely have a status report update with more recent data on RPS goals, targets and updates. You would have to search each state's Energy Dept. or similar agency to find the most recent data.  For example, the most recent Massachusetts report (for 2010) is available.

Again, thank you for contacting the SunShot Solar Outreach Partnership via the Department of Energy's Solar Resource Center.