The U.S.
solar industry broke records in 2012, and it is expected that 2013 will be
another record year for installed solar capacity.  Last year the U.S. solar industry installed
approximately 3.2 GW of capacity.  Even
as powerhouse solar markets like California slow down, other states like New
York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania pick up the slack.  While it is unclear which states will step up
to the plate next, the prospects of state solar initiatives spurring an
increase in solar capacity seem—well, sunny.

Investments
in renewable energies and technological advancements in all things solar have
highlighted the value of solar and removed some of the barriers.  Federal incentives, such as investment tax credits and loan programs, will continue to
promote the large-scale commercialization of solar energy and boost the
establishment of solar plants in the U.S. 
State-specific initiatives then act to encourage energy efficiency and
the switch to renewables at the state-level. 
This, in turn of course, helps drive the U.S. solar industry and overall numbers for solar power capacity installed,
particularly as markets in some states start to falter and others pick up pace. 

States are developing and implementing various
plans to promote solar energy.  For example,
regulators in Hawaii have amended archaic policies to allow for more
advancements in renewable technology. 
California grid legislators have increased the amount of solar allowed
through “net metering”—meaning customers can offset the cost of the electricity
they generate themselves through their solar panels.  In addition, states like Colorado and Vermont
have streamlined solar permitting and capped costs on the allowable permit
fees.

California
holds the unofficial title of the “greenest state” in the U.S.  It reached a major landmark when it surpassed
1 GW of installed solar power capacity, at least 50% of which is attributed to
its California Solar Initiative (“CSI”). 
CSI offers financial incentives which are designed to slowly decrease
throughout the years as solar technology becomes more widespread.  Customers are also provided with net
metering, as previously mentioned, which allow homeowners and businesses to
offset the cost of their electricity use with energy generated from their solar power and sent
back to the grid. 

Although
California still paves the way, Massachusetts is hot on its tail and may pass
it by if the New England state keeps up its current pace investing in renewable energy. Massachusetts has been
named the top state for Chinese Bladder Accumulator energy efficiency the past two years and continues to
be a state to watch in the energy efficiency industry.  For one, it spends more per capita on
efficiency than any other state. 
Massachusetts also requires that its utilities seek all cost-effective
energy efficiency prior to securing new power sources. 

 If the
trends continue as they have, 2013 should bring more installed solar power
capacity than ever before.  New and
existing state solar initiatives will have a significant, yet varied, impact on
the U.S. solar industry as a whole.  Only
time will tell which states and their initiatives will bring about the greatest
numbers in solar capacities installed, and perhaps a new leader in green energy
will emerge.