Rooftop Solar System Sizes Soar: Median Increases by 200%
In the realm of residential solar installations in the United States, California stands out as the undisputed leader in terms of sheer numbers, as indicated by research conducted by LBNL (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory). The Golden State boasts a significant share of the solar market, and a noteworthy trend within this market is the integration of energy storage systems, with approximately 11% of residential solar installations in California featuring attached energy storage. This remarkable trend can be attributed in part to incentives and rebates offered for energy storage systems and the influence of the California Public Utilities Commission’s Self-Generation Incentive Program.
Despite its impressive dominance in the residential solar sector, California’s average system size is notably modest, with an average of 7.1 kW. This size falls on the lower end of the spectrum when compared to other states. In contrast, the median system sizes in most states typically exceed 8 kW, and in many cases, surpass 9 kW. However, California’s substantial market share exerts a pull on the national median size, resulting in a U.S. median size of 7.2 kW.
Another state of significance in the residential solar market is Texas, characterized by “particularly high levels of activity” in solar installations. This heightened activity can be attributed, at least in part, to the aftermath of Winter Storm Uri, which had a transformative impact on the energy landscape in the state. In the wake of this event, there has been a notable increase in the adoption of solar paired with energy storage systems.
According to Galen Barbose, a research scientist at LBNL, there has been a surge in interest in solar plus storage solutions following Winter Storm Uri. Utility companies in Texas, such as CenterPoint Energy in the Houston area and Oncor in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, have witnessed a significant uptick in interconnection applications for solar plus storage systems. CenterPoint Energy, for example, reported a threefold increase in interconnection applications for solar plus storage systems in the previous year, while Oncor experienced a sixfold rise in applications in 2022 compared to the previous year.
This surge in interest and adoption of solar plus storage solutions reflects a growing recognition of the importance of energy resilience and security in regions susceptible to extreme weather events, ultimately contributing to the evolving landscape of residential solar installations in the United States.
