Climate Changed
U.S. Residential Solar Market Slides for the First Time in 16 Years
- Residential installations to decline 2.4% in 2017, BNEF says
- Biggest U.S. solar state a tougher market for rooftop power
A worker lays down a solar panel on a rooftop during a SolarCity residential installation in Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.
Photographer: Sergio Flores/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
The U.S. residential solar market is projected to contract in 2017 after at least 16 straight years of growth, reflecting a shift in sales strategies by some major installers and increasing pressure from utilities to adjust incentives.
Installers will add 2,263 megawatts of residential systems this year, down about 2.4 percent from 2,319 megawatts in 2016, according to a report released Thursday from Bloomberg New Energy Finance. That follows gains of about 20 percent last year and almost 48 percent in 2015.