Rooftop Solar Installations in the U.S. Shatter Previous Records in 2022
In a recent update, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) has shed light on a milestone achievement in the renewable energy sector, highlighting that the rooftop solar capacity, part of the small-scale solar segment, scaled unprecedented heights in 2022. A record increment of 6.4 gigawatts (GW) was observed, positioning last year as the period witnessing the highest addition of solar infrastructure in twelve months.
Initiating its records in 2014, the EIA has chronicled the continuous augmentation of the small-scale solar capacity, observing a surge from a modest 7.3 GW to a substantial figure of 39.5 GW as of 2022. When delineated, it is seen that a considerable share of the solar capacity in the nation, nearly a third, is ascribed to small-scale solar energy provisions, characterized by systems with an energy yield below 1 megawatt (MW). A predominant share of this small-scale solar capacity arises from residential rooftop solar installations.
Attributing to the EIA, this steady uptick in solar adoption has been spurred by various factors including government-backed tax credits and incentives, a receptive public policy landscape, and a trend of escalating retail electricity tariffs. The falling costs of solar panels have equally contributed, catalyzing an expansion in small-scale solar provisions over the recent decade, as delineated in a statement on the EIA’s website.
Zeroing in on the geographical distribution of this growth, California stands as a forerunner, boasting the largest share of small-scale solar installations, a whopping 36%, equating to 14.2 GW. This dominance is facilitated by California’s conducive climatic conditions paired with its stringent Building Energy Efficiency Standards (Energy Code) which mandate the incorporation of solar panels in new one to three-storied residential edifices. Moreover, residents enjoy a plethora of incentives including rebates and tax deductions, significantly reducing the costs involved in the solar transition.
Despite the considerable solar infrastructure in New York, New Jersey, Texas, and Arizona, amounting to 2.6 GW, 2.4 GW, 2.2 GW, and 2.1 GW respectively, it is Hawaii that commands the forefront in terms of small-scale solar capacity per person, boasting 541 watts for every citizen, followed closely by California with 364 watts. Hawaii’s leadership emerges from a historical reliance on high-cost fuel imports for power, encouraging a shift towards solar energy facilitated by dropping solar panel costs, and supported by an ambitious goal to harness 100% renewable energy by 2045.
As we stand on the cusp of 2023, there is an overarching optimism, backed by EIA’s predictions, that the forthcoming year could potentially record the highest yearly addition to utility-scale solar capacity, expecting solar power to constitute 54% of all fresh electric-generating infrastructural additions in the U.S. This optimistic forecast is testimony to the burgeoning embrace of solar power, pointing to a greener, sustainable future, driven by both small-scale and utility-scale solar expansions.
