Solar Rooftop Revolution Fizzles in U.S. on Utility Pushback

Rooftop solar, which has surged more than 1,000 percent since 2010, will barely grow at all next year.

Residential installations are expected to increase by 21 percent this year, but in 2017 the figure will inch upward by about 0.3 percent. The change comes as utilities push back against mandates to buy the electricity and shifting tax policies curb demand. Throw in sliding electricity rates and it’s clear the economic benefits of rooftop panels are no longer so obvious to consumers.