![](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmcyBkex1wK5wrvU2BoeXsHLYoe5yopMuQ61vBdmoibngY/image.png)
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# Solar is growing faster than any other energy source in the US
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- Despite the import tariffs that American President Donald Trump introduced on the import of solar panels, solar remains the strongest growing source of energy in the United States. In the first quarter of 2018 more solar energy capacity was added than wind energy or natural gas.

- Installers installed 2.5 gigawatts of solar energy during the first 3 months of 2018. That is an increase of 13% compared to a year earlier. Solar energy accounts for 55% of the added energy capacity in the US.

- By the end of the year, solar energy will more than likely add about 10.8 gigawatts of energy to the American electricity grid. By 2023 this will probably grow to 14 gigawatts per year, despite solar energy being part of the trade war between China and the United States.

- "Solar has become a common-sense option for much of the US, and is too strong to be set back for long, even in light of the tariffs," - said Abigail Ross Hopper of Solar Energy Industries Association.

## Why solar energy is growing so strongly
 
- Natural gas is still at the top of the capacity with 43% of all energy production. Coal also still gets a solid 23%. Wind energy only reaches 7.6% and solar energy does not even reach 3%.
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![](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmZ8fSC4SFpfCMG5Jf6cKrJhqBw7ShMkU11a9KtDaLyDQV/image.png)
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- So there are still a lot of growth opportunities for renewable energy.

- The overwhelming leadership that uses renewable energy sources in the added capacity points out that companies invest in solar and wind energy, regardless of the imposed import tariffs. That is because they have become 'cost competitive', in other words ...

- Renewable energy is no longer a preference for the environment, but also for the wallet.
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Source: <a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/news/solar-surpasses-gas-wind-biggest-040100685.html">Yahoo Finance</a>