US community solar to grow 7GW by 2027 as even more states want to expand access

• At least 7GW of US community solar is anticipated ahead online in the next 5 years, according to new research study from Wood Mackenzie (WoodMac).

The state of New York will certainly continue to lead installments in the community solar industry, with 1.3 GW set to be deployed in between 2022-2027, while it also had the greatest state-level changes in the new forecast, along with Illinois.

The research study firm has upped its forecast by 11% as it expects an additional increase of 477MW for the period throughout 2022-2026, while it likewise extended its overview to 2027 because of the additions of new states in the solar community market such as New Mexico and Delaware.

The research was carried out in cooperation with the Union for Community Solar Access (CCSA), whose CEO, Jeff Cramer, stated there were "significant tailwinds" in a number of states as legislators aim to community solar to aid achieve their power policy goals.

" We get in touch with all federal as well as state policymakers to aid remove the barriers and incentivise release of community solar to reduce energy prices and also offer more people access to these programmes," advised Cramer.

Pending regulations for community solar in 5 states can include a further 1.2 GW to the forecasts, WoodMac claimed.

Considering that the start of Q2 2022, an overall of 4.4 GW of community solar capacity was set up throughout the US, with more development anticipated as legacy markets expand their community solar programmes and also other states take on extra programmes, according to Rachel Goldstein, United States solar study expert at WoodMac.

In addition, prices to obtain big customers in the community market was reduced and more variable than the acquisition of household customers on a per watt basis, according to the research study.

Goldstein said: "The community solar market is a growing solar sector within the United States, with several proposed new programs pending in state legislatures."