From the Article
The growth in solar energy over the past decade has been nothing short of phenomenal. Global solar installations are expected to surpass 64 GW this year, smashing last year’s record and bringing total installed solar capacity to an expected cumulative total of over 310 GW by the end of the year. Last year, solar passed the 1 percent mark for percentage of energy produced globally, and we can expect it to continue to claim an ever greater share — especially as India, China and other developing nations ramp up their solar capacity.
Solar’s rise in demand is, of course, cause for celebration amongst those concerned with environmental issues. With an embodied energy payback estimated at approximately two years, a rooftop PV array truly does provide clean, renewable energy throughout the vast majority of its expected 20-30 year life span.