A week after the American Wind Energy Association declared that wind power is breaking new records in energy generation, a top solar power trade group says its industry is also booming.

The solar industry installed 7,286 megawatts of solar photovoltaics in 2015, which is the most ever for a single year, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association.

Solar beat out natural gas capacity additions for the first time in its history, with solar supplying 29.5 percent of all new electric generating capacity in the U.S. in 2015, SEIA reported.

"Without a doubt, 2015 was a monumental year for the U.S. solar industry, and perhaps what's most amazing is that we're only getting started," SEIA CEO Rhone Resch said.

Residential solar accounted for the fastest-growing segment of the industry, growing more than 66 percent in 2015. Much of the growth was concentrated in California, North Carolina, Nevada, Massachusetts and New York State. http://bit.ly/24my0YE

One reason for the growth spurt was that solar developers sped up projects last year out of concern the federal renewable energy tax credit was going to expire, the International Business Times reported. Lawmakers revived the credit at the last minute, extending its life until 2020.

Rooftop solar panels also have become more affordable, helping drive up domestic demand. http://bit.ly/1oy8DSS

Renewable energy in general is experiencing healthy growth. Some 8.6 gigawatts of wind energy were added to the nation's energy grid last year, more than any energy source, the American Wind Energy Association recently reported.

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