The US solar industry installed 4.6 gigawatts-direct current (GWdc) of capacity in the second quarter of 2022, a 12% decrease from Q2 2021 and a 12% increase from Q1 2022. Across the solar industry, second quarter volumes would have been higher if not for supply chain constraints and the industry-wide slowdown from March through June, caused by the initiation of the anticircumvention investigation.
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Over the last 15 years, community solar in the United States has grown dramatically: Installed community solar capacity increased almost 700% between 2006 and 2019. To support LMI participation in the clean energy economy and broader uptake of community solar, the development of catalytic partnerships — dynamic relationships that link utilities, non-profits, financial institutions, developers and other stakeholders to ease financial impediments — will be critical.
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New York has become the top community solar market in the U.S., with more than one gigawatt (GW) of community solar installed and operational—enough to provide clean energy to more than 200,000 homes across the state. And much more is on the way: New York also has the largest pipeline in the nation with over 700 projects totaling 2.3 GW, enough to power an additional 400,000 homes.
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The first generation of community solar — typically midsize, grid-connected solar projects that community members or organizations can subscribe to — enabled greater access to solar energy in many US states. This report outlines the concept of community solar+: community solar projects that are strategically deployed to maximize local value streams and advance community-wide sustainability and equity goals.
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To help meet aggressive US state and federal clean energy goals, many more community solar projects must be built across the country. This paper proposes a siting framework for community solar projects, which can produce much needed zero-carbon electricity, while serving important ecosystem enhancement and conservation roles. Responsible siting such as that proposed here can help preserve community character while protecting individual property rights.
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US community solar is set to get a boost from expanded state-level programs enacted in the last six months. Community solar refers to local facilities shared by multiple community subscribers, such as homeowners, renters and businesses. Each subscriber receives credits on their electricity bills for their share of the power produced. We expect a peak in installations over the next few years. Volumes decrease after 2023 once pipelines under current incentive regimes begin to dwindle and the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) drops down to 10%.
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Using a case study approach, the white paper highlights the different ways in which communities actively participate in energy decision making around the world and harness renewable energy’s potential to deliver economic, social and environmental benefits for a just transition. The paper also provides a checklist and additional resources that energy communities could consider when developing a renewable energy initiative.
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