Data Source: Energy Information Administration.
Analysis by CEC Economics
Highlights
- In California, small-scale solar PV net generation, which is generally defined as having a generating capacity of 1 megawatt (MW) or less, totaled 31,723 GWh in 2024, up 3,621 GWh or 12.9% from 2023. Small-scale solar PV net generation growth continues to outpace utility-scale PV generation growth. In 2024, small-scale solar PV net generation was more than half (65.3%) of California’s in-state utility-scale solar PV total generation (48,602 GWh), albeit this is down from 71.3% in 2023. In 2024, California accounted for 37.5% of all small-scale solar PV net generation nationwide. By sector, California accounted for 29.0% in the commercial sector, 38.2% in the residential sector, and 69.4% in the industrial sector (i.e., at industrial facilities). However, California’s share of small-scale solar PV has been gradually falling after peaking in 2018, when it accounted for 44.2% nationwide.
- Small scale solar PV generation grew slightly slower, percentage wise, in California (+12.9%) than the rest of the U.S. (+16.2%) from 2023 to 2024. Compared to 2023, generation in the residential sector grew 14.2% in California in 2024 versus 16.9% in the rest of the U.S. Similarly, small-scale solar PV generation growth in the commercial sector was lower in California (+11.4%) compared to the rest of the U.S. (15.9%). However, generation in the industrial sector grew faster in California (+7.1%) than in the rest of the U.S.
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