The US is investing more than $120 million (£76.8m) to boost solar energy in 24 states.

The funding aims to accelerate the country’s transition to renewables, promote energy efficiency, drive innovation and address climate change, the White House stated.

It claims since President Obama came to power, the number of solar rooftops has increased by more than 66,000 to 734,000.

It also stated solar represented 40% of all new electric generating capacity brought online in the first half of 2015.

In a statement it added: “Since the beginning of 2010, the average cost of a solar electric system has dropped by 50%. In fact, distributed solar prices fell 10 to 20% in 2014 alone. And since President Obama took office, solar power has increased twenty-fold.”

The US administration is also funding projects for new technologies to reduce the cost of solar systems and expand access in rural areas.