Here's Where Utility-Scale Solar Is Thriving in the United States

Here’s Where Utility-Scale Solar Is Thriving in the United States

GTM Research identifies 20 states with 200 megawatts under development.

Mike Munsell October 04, 2016

Mike Munsell

Marketing Manager
GTM Research

Mike Munsell is a Marketing Manager with GTM Research. Mike covers key findings from GTM Research's solar, grid edge and energy storage reports and data services. He also hosts GTM's weekly Energy News Quiz.

According to GTM Research’s Utility PV Market Tracker, as of August 2016, there are 11 states with 500 megawatts or more of PV projects in development and a total of 20 states with 200 megawatts or more under development.

Historically, a few states made up the majority of utility PV installations, including California, Arizona and North Carolina. However, with last year’s extension of the federal Investment Tax Credit, the pipeline is at an all-time high, and the market is beginning to truly diversify geographically.

Source: GTM Research Utility PV Market Tracker

Over the next five years, GTM Research expects that utility PV will continue to grow into new state markets and regions. And it won’t solely be driven by renewable portfolio standards.

With power-purchase agreement prices now ranging between $35 per megawatt-hour and $60 per megawatt-hour, voluntary utility procurement, PURPA-driven procurement, and wholesale C&I procurement are expected to collectively drive as much pipeline replenishment as RPS obligations.

Source: GTM Research Utility PV Market Tracker

Over the next five years, several markets will emerge as new leaders of utility PV. GTM Research points to a number of states on the rise, including Texas and South Carolina.

By 2017, Texas alone will consistently represent over 10 percent of annual utility PV installations in the United States.

"With rates comparable to North Carolina, South Carolina is currently the third-largest PURPA market by megawatts in development," said GTM Research solar analyst Colin Smith. "Many incumbent North Carolina developers have begun development of projects in South Carolina as well."

Currently there are 891 megawatts (DC) of PURPA projects in development, and that number is growing quickly.

GTM Research forecasts the Southeast as a whole to drive the most voluntarily procured utility-scale solar between 2017 and 2021.

“As RPS-driven demand dips in 2017 and 2018, we will see PUPRA, corporate procurement, and voluntary procurement surge forward as average PPA prices continue to decline, ” said Smith.

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GTM Research's Utility PV Market Tracker is the most comprehensive database of large-scale solar projects. Contact [email protected] for a demo or pricing information.