Rooftop solar remains marginal in America

Solar eclipsed

Rooftop solar remains marginal in America- Part 1 of 3

"Blame a patchwork of regulation, utilities and an immature business model."

Excerpts: Part 1 The Economist Dec 22, 2018

"Americans love the concept of rooftop solar, according to opinion polls"

"Panels do not belch carbon dioxide. Electricity is generated where it is consumed, easing the strain on transmission lines and power plants."

"This combination of greenness and cheapness has allure." "In 2017 rooftop solar installations in America, measured by gigawatts of capacity, were nearly ten times what they were in 2010."

"Although nearly 2m homes now have panels on top, recent growth has been anaemic."

"Supporters of rooftop solar are well-accustomed to ups and downs."

Even so, today’s stuttering progress is striking.

Two factors lie behind it: regulatory uncertainty and the unreliable business models of solar firms.

Part 2 Will be posted Wednesday July 13, 2022