Solar energy adoption patterns in the United States
The paper reviews the status of solar energy commercialization in the United States for residential domestic water- and space-heating systems. Utilizing tax claims submitted to the Internal Revenue Service and U.S. Department of Energy data, adoption patterns in each state are determined and analyzed. The analyses include comparison with forecasts of solar feasibility and with other state characteristics. The solar market was found to be well established, although less active than suggested by life-cycle cost advantages. The national installation rate for 1980 and 1981 averaged 31 per 10,000 single family dwelling units. Major regional variations exist with highest rates in the West and the lowest in the central and southeast states. Adoption rates were found to be inversely related to the states' residential energy consumption levels and directly related to their petroleum dependency and insolation availability.
- Research Organization:
- Department of Geography, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
- OSTI ID:
- 6286759
- Journal Information:
- Energy Syst. Policy; (United States), Vol. 8:2
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
POLICY AND ECONOMY
14 SOLAR ENERGY
RESIDENTIAL SECTOR
SOLAR HEATING SYSTEMS
COMMERCIALIZATION
AVAILABILITY
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
INSOLATION
LIFE-CYCLE COST
MARKET
REGIONAL ANALYSIS
SOLAR ENERGY
SOLAR SPACE HEATING
SOLAR WATER HEATING
TAX CREDITS
US DOE
VARIATIONS
COST
ENERGY
ENERGY SOURCES
ENERGY SYSTEMS
EQUIPMENT
HEATING
HEATING SYSTEMS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR HEATING
SPACE HEATING
US ORGANIZATIONS
WATER HEATING
299001* - Energy Planning & Policy- Solar- (1989-)
140300 - Solar Energy- Economic
Industrial
& Business Aspects