New reports released have analysed the second quarter of 2013. Solar photovoltaic installations are up 15% from the first quarter with 832MW’s installed in the second quarter.

According to a report from the Solar Energy Industries Association and GTM Research, the USA now has 8 858MW’s of cumulative operating capacity. The residential market didn’t see much growth from the previous quarter for the first time – it has experienced growth almost every quarter previously. Research suggests that even though residential installations will not experience as much growth as commercial or utility scale solar, the residential market will continue to grow in the coming years.

Utility scale solar power installed experienced growth in the quarter with 38 projects installed totalling 452MW’s. It also has a further 4.1GW currently under construction.

Commercial solar installations have slumped by 11% when compared to the second quarter of last year. Like most around the world, commercial solar in the US has suffered from regulation uncertainty and changes to incentives.

Past research shows that the second quarter of the year is often a speed hump where the market slows or is very uncertain – usually in quarter three, the solar market picks up, steadies and often makes up for slower second quarters. However, this second quarter has been relatively stable and still showed growth in the market. Forecasts again show that quarter three will be substantially stronger.

With a slightly better quarter recorded and stronger quarters to come, the forecast is that 2013 will see 4.4GW’s of PV installed – an increase of 30% on 2012.