Community Solar Rising

Community Solar and Virtual Net Metering; Utility Technology Disruption Report

1Q 2016 (Navigant Research)

“…[Utility-led community solar (CS) programs] offer solar energy to residential and commercial users in multi-story buildings and those without an adequate roof to support solar electricity generation…CS is enabled by virtual net metering, which allows consumers to offset part or all of their electricity bills with the electricity produced by the solar project. At the same time, utilities improve customer satisfaction and limit the economic and technical impact that rooftop solar generation can have on their business…By the end of 2015, 88.6 MW of capacity was deployed…representing an estimated $175 million in revenue…The total installed capacity for CS programs across the country is expected to be 1.5 GW in 2020, representing a $2.5 billion market. A number of drivers…point toward the potential for CS to capture 2% of the solar market. However, the resulting decrease in utility control and increase in retail competition will require a rethinking of current utility business models…” click here for more

click to enlarge

Tweet