People love round numbers. Whether it’s 3,000 hits, the year 2000, $1,000 prizes or breaking 100 in golf, these markers provide an easy-to-understand milestone in almost any endeavor. Sometimes, though, the round number carries a significance that simply cannot be overstated.

The solar industry in the United States has hit one of those important milestones: 1 million solar system installations. For those in the solar industry, this milestone says a lot about where the movement began. However, it says just as much about where the industry is headed.

Rapid Growth

“It took us 40 years to get to 1 million installations, and it will take us only two years to get to 2 million,” said Dan Whitten, vice president of communications at the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). “This is a time to mark when the solar industry started to accelerate at warp speed.”

Indeed, the growth in solar power has grown exponentially over the past few years. In 2016, solar energy production is projected to hit 16 gigawatts, which is more than double the 7.3 gigawatts produced in 2015.

Prices Drop

The second factor in the rapid growth of solar energy in the United States is the continued decrease in prices. In fact, installations should increase in 2016 as some tax incentives face phase-out in 2017. More people are figuring that the right time to join the movement is now.

The cost of completed solar projects in 2015 was 14 percent less than in 2014 and 45 percent less than in 2012. This continued growth — along with increased production from improved technologies — should help keep the cost of solar systems on a downward trajectory for the foreseeable future.

Getting the Word Out

In years past, the benefits of solar were spread via word of mouth to those who were most likely to make the move to solar energy. In today’s energy marketplace, there is more of an appetite for solar power, which has made it both easier and more important to communicate about the costs and benefits of solar power systems.

With that in mind, the social media campaign #millionsolarstrong is being used to help raise awareness about solar power to more people. The hashtag has provided experts, pundits and solar users alike a forum for discussing solar power in front of a large audience. Tweets have originated from diverse sources ranging from energy companies to President Obama, helping to build further momentum for this industry.

The solar industry is not a fad. And no energy source with more than 1 million installations can be considered just a niche market. Over the next few years, the market and users across the United States will help to decide where the industry goes next, having achieved this major milestone.

One thing is for sure: The next big round number is coming for the solar power industry, and it’s going to arrive much more quickly than the last big round number did. For solar power in the U.S., the outlook is looking sunny.

Want to find out more about how installing solar panels on your rooftop can help you drive your electric bill down to zero? Contact us for a free quote.