Community solar adoption surges as policymakers push for infrastructure, aiming to triple capacity to 20GW by 2025.

The research suggests that community solar adopters are 6.1 times more likely to live in multifamily buildings than rooftop solar users, 4.4 times likely to rent, and earn 23% less due to the economic incentives provided by community solar providers. The research suggests policymakers could expand solar access by creating a basic infrastructure for community solar, such as a virtual net metering, and including equity measures for low-income households can increase adoption and access to solar PV. The Department of Energy’s principal deputy assistant secretary, Jeff Marootian, has called for the solar industry to triple the installed capacity of community solar to 20GW by 2025, up from 7GW currently. Despite a recent decision in California, the leading US state for solar PV, which is expected to limit the deployment of such technology, the community solar market is set to add 7.6GW of capacity between 2024 and 2028.