2021 was a banner year for solar in California, as the state maintained its status as the number one in the nation for solar energy.
This report from DG+ dives into the details of California’s solar market with the latest news, policy details, market share data, and power purchase agreement (PPA) price estimates.
Despite a tough year marred by global supply chain issues and uncertainty around the COVID-19 pandemic, California’s solar capacity exceeded 33,000 megawatts (MW) in 2021. The top residential solar developers in 2021 were Vivint/SunRun, Tesla/SolarCity, and SunPower. The non-residential solar market was dominated by Coldwell Solar, SunPower, and Cupertino Electric.
While there are only a few active solar incentives remaining in California, solar PPA prices continue to be favorable in California. In particular, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power’s (LADWP) Feed-in Tariff (FiT) program makes small-to-large scale solar projects extremely advantageous. California’s retail and wholesale electricity prices remain among the highest in the country, making it even easier for solar PPA prices to be competitive in the market.
However, the CPUC is currently finalizing changes to the state’s solar net energy metering (NEM) policy that may make solar more expensive for solar owners in the future. While no details have been confirmed, notable measures include compensating net metering customers below retail rate and adding an $8/kW “grid participation charge” for homes with solar.
If the final NEM-3 policy yields a less favorable outcome, California could see an immediate rush in new solar development, as residents and businesses rush to qualify for current rates before the new rates take effect.
This DG+ California Solar Market report includes an overview of opportunities and challenges facing the market, policy explainers, estimated solar PPA pricing, and market share data.
Why market research?
As local markets change dynamically and policies remain difficult to navigate, clean energy organizations are currently forced to choose between the overwhelming flow of free information and high-priced market intelligence subscriptions that are often too expensive for small- and medium-sized firms.
At DG+, we provide succinct information that cuts through the noise and gets to the point. Reports include details on current events, opportunities and challenges, policy summaries, pricing analysis, and market share data.
California Solar Market Report
Q1 2022
The DG+ California Solar Report provides a summary of the current incentives, solar pricing, projected solar capacity, and an overview of the developers that lead the market.
