In the United States, solar energy is growing at an impressive rate, almost capable of counteracting the increasing demand for energy. The latest data reveals a significant rise in solar capacity with over a 21% increase in installations in 2024 alone. As of now, solar power accounts for nearly 8% of the total electricity supply, a notable leap for a country grappling with rising consumption.
This is exciting news, especially against the backdrop of increasing energy demand driven by technological advancements like data centers and high-energy industries. For women entrepreneurs in Europe navigating industries impacted by energy challenges, there are clear lessons to take from the growth of solar energy in the US. Let’s dig into how this impacts leadership strategies, startup growth, and future planning.
What Changed in the US Energy Sector?
Solar reached nearly 50 gigawatts of new capacity in 2024, according to the Solar Market Insight Report. That accounts for two-thirds of all new electricity-generating capacity added last year! In raw numbers, this means solar ranks as one of the fastest-growing forms of energy.
Most impressively, there’s now 220 gigawatts of total installed solar capacity, enough to supply electricity to more than 43 million households. States such as California, Texas, and Florida lead the charge with the highest installation rates. Better yet, smaller states in the Midwest have significantly ramped up their solar projects. This shows that smaller markets can punch above their weight when they innovate, an inspiring takeaway for entrepreneurs with limited resources.
Here’s where it gets interesting, research shows that this growth isn’t about luxury or idealism. Solar energy is being embraced because it’s affordable and scalable. The cost of implementing solar has dropped exponentially thanks to federal incentives and advancements in technology, making it a smart and budget-friendly option.
Lessons Female Entrepreneurs in Europe Can Learn From Solar Expansion
1. Start Small, Dream Big
The US solar boom began years ago with regional projects in Texas and California. Similarly, as an entrepreneur, you can start small to test your solutions while scaling strategically within your means. Look for regional opportunities; public funding from initiatives like Horizon Europe or other European programs could align with sustainability efforts.
2. Adapt to Market Trends
Consumer trends showed an appetite for clean energy, and the solar sector stepped in to cater to this shift. Entrepreneurs should regularly assess customer priorities and industry trends. Circular economy businesses, conscious lifestyle products, or low-energy systems are areas where demand is growing. Build your product line or service based on not just gaps but also what motivates clients today.
3. Diversify Revenue Channels
If solar could grow from a fraction of energy solutions to 8% of the US grid’s output, think of its parallel in business. Whether you focus on software, design, or consultancy, diversification is a long-term asset. Are you offering educational products or mentoring services in your niche? Branching out doesn’t dilute your vision; it deepens your business resilience.
4. Sustainability Is a Value Multiplier
The solar story in the US resonates deeply in Europe, where green energy aligns with long-term customer values. Make sustainability a core aspect of your business strategy. For example, if you are in fashion, consider sourcing eco-friendly materials. If you’re a tech founder, highlight your focus on energy-efficient solutions.
Most Common Mistakes Entrepreneurs Should Avoid
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Undervaluing Strategic Partnerships
In the US solar industry, collaborative ventures and public-private partnerships fueled project scalability. Entrepreneurs in Europe should also focus on partnerships, especially as initiatives like Fe/male Switch make support networks more accessible for women founders. -
Ignoring Regulatory Changes
Some of solar’s success in the US stems from policy incentives such as the Investment Tax Credit. Entrepreneurs looking to scale green businesses should prioritize understanding national and EU sustainability grants or subsidies, as they could fast-track growth. Websites like the EU Startup Guide offer helpful funding information. -
Fear of Larger Players
Even with major corporations pouring billions into renewables, smaller markets like Ohio and Maine found a niche in regional solar projects. Similarly, you should recognize that large competitors don’t block the road for innovative small-scale solutions. -
Missing Positioning Opportunities
Some states, like Illinois and Pennsylvania, became success stories because they targeted markets with lower entry barriers. European entrepreneurs can map less serving regions or industries ripe for disruption, transforming them with online-only approaches, e-commerce, or localized offerings.
Real Takeaway: Scalability and Sustainability Go Hand in Hand
As a serial entrepreneur, I am fascinated by the energy industry’s capacity for resilience and reinvention. Solar energy didn’t grow by accident. It grew through iterative innovation, supported by incentives, and solving a big problem customers care about: energy supply and pricing.
Here’s the “how”:
- Set your vision clearly, but don’t aim for perfection from the start.
- Test cost-effective methods to add value, be it production efficiency, added convenience, or going eco-friendly.
- Create transparent, trust-based practices. Allow your venture to own a unique and honest position in your industry.
Lastly, European female entrepreneurs often face additional barriers when scaling startups, from limited VC access to smaller networks. This makes strategic planning even more critical. The US example shows that scaling can happen in regions with constraints. Resources matter, but the courage to sustain momentum matters more.
Conclusion: Future-Proofing Your Business Through Adaptability
The trajectory of solar energy in the US serves as a guiding light for startups and small businesses. By focusing on sustainability, affordability, and smart partnerships, the industry has shifted a major market. Similarly, as entrepreneurs, especially women in Europe, we have an incredible opportunity to shape industries, even from smaller markets or bootstrapped beginnings.
Keep experimenting and connect with communities like Fe/male Switch to unlock new growth paths. My advice? Start today, or nudge your business ideas into motion before larger trends dominate the field. Energy shifts take time, but the rewards of sustainability and entrepreneurship endure.
FAQ
1. How much did solar energy installations grow in the U.S. in 2024?
Solar installations grew by an impressive 21% in 2024, reaching nearly 50 gigawatts of new capacity. This accounted for two-thirds of all new electricity-generating capacity added last year. Check out the Solar Market Insight Report 2024 Year in Review
2. How many U.S. households can now be powered by solar energy?
With 220 gigawatts of total installed solar capacity by 2024, U.S. solar production can power over 43 million households. Learn more from SEIA’s Solar Insights
3. Which states are leading in solar energy installations in the U.S.?
California, Texas, and Florida are at the forefront of solar energy installation, with smaller states in the Midwest also seeing significant growth due to innovative projects.
4. How does solar energy impact rising energy demand in the U.S.?
Despite a surge in electricity demand driven by data centers and high-energy industries, the rise of solar has helped offset a significant portion of new energy consumption. Explore insights from Ars Technica
5. How does solar energy contribute to the U.S. electricity grid?
As of 2025, solar energy makes up nearly 8% of the U.S. electricity mix, with wind and solar combined together reaching 17%, surpassing coal in dominance. Learn more about U.S. renewable energy trends
6. What role do federal policies play in solar energy adoption?
Policies such as the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) significantly reduce solar implementation costs, helping solar energy grow as a viable and budget-friendly option. Understand federal policies from SEIA
7. How is solar energy addressing regional energy needs in the U.S.?
Some states like Illinois and Pennsylvania have capitalized on lower entry barriers to rapidly scale up solar infrastructure and disrupt traditional energy markets. Explore state-level strategies from SEIA
8. What can entrepreneurs learn from the U.S. solar energy boom?
Entrepreneurs, especially women in Europe, can learn to start small, adapt to market trends, diversify revenue channels, and integrate sustainability into their business models.
9. Why is solar energy becoming more popular in the U.S.?
The affordability and scalability of solar energy, driven by advancements in technology and public-private partnerships, are key factors behind its growth.
10. How can female entrepreneurs benefit from strategic partnerships?
Collaborative ventures, inspired by the U.S. solar sector's success, can help scale projects and provide access to resources, funding, and networks. Find support with Fe/male Switch
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 5,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
- 1,000 unique business ideas for women created
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.
