US utility-scale solar pipeline swells to record 37.9GW

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
Ingka Group owns all Ikea outlets. Source: Ikea.

The US now has a record-breaking 37.9GW of utility-scale solar in the works after 11.2GW of new projects were announced in H1 2019, according to a new report from Wood Mackenzie and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA).

While the project pipeline has ballooned, the rate of installations slowed in the second quarter of 2019 compared to the same period the year prior, according to the latest US Solar Market Insight Report. 2.1GW was switched on, seven percent less than in 2018. However, Wood Mackenzie forecasts an overall 17% uptick on installations before the year is out, estimating that 12.6GW of utility-scale capacity will come online before 2020.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

Utility-scale solar prices are at their lowest point ever, with recent power purchase agreements (PPAs) signed for US$18-35 per MWh.

SEIA president and CEO Abigail Ross Hopper said that “smart policies like an extension of the solar investment tax credit will be critical” for solar to reach 20% market penetration in the US by 2030.

The report calculates that by 2021 – the year the credit expires for residential systems and tapers to 10% for commercial projects – annual installations will reach 17.6GW. It also expects that total installed PV capacity will more than double over the next five years.

The report notes that 17% of the utility-scale capacity announced this year were off-site corporate solar projects fronted by the likes of Starbucks, Microsoft and Anheuser-Busch. It expects this segment to snowball. “Corporate offsite procurement is expected to drive more than 20% of new utility-scale capacity additions from 2019 through 2024,” said Colin Smith, senior solar analyst with Wood Mackenzie.

Residential solar grew 8% over the past year, with the second quarter of 2019 becoming the fourth consecutive where more than 600MW of residential capacity was installed.

Ikea store owner buys 49% stake in 403MW utility-scale duo

Adding to the fast-growing US solar pipeline this week was IKEA’s outlet owner Ingka Group, which unveiled a deal on Monday to buy a 49% stake in a 403MW utility-scale solar duo from investment firm Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners.

While the Dutch holding company owns wind assets in Europe and the US and owns and operates 900,000 rooftop panels on IKEA stores and distribution centres, this is its first investment in utility-scale solar.

One facility will come online in late September and comprise 636,000 panels in Utah. The other project is in Texas and will comprise 823,000 panels, scheduled for powering-up in January 2020.

The company has not divulged whether it will be purchasing power from the parks.

US solar prospects amid PPA uptake and a changing policy landscape will take centre stage at Solar Media's Solar & Storage Finance USA, to be held in New York on 29-30 October 2019

21 October 2025
New York, USA
Returning for its 12th edition, Solar and Storage Finance USA Summit remains the annual event where decision-makers at the forefront of solar and storage projects across the United States and capital converge. Featuring the most active solar and storage transactors, join us for a packed two-days of deal-making, learning and networking.

Read Next

June 9, 2025
Growing political headwinds threaten to dent US solar manufacturing and project deployment, despite a strong start to 2025.
June 6, 2025
rPlus Energies has secured more than US$500 million for an 800MW solar-plus-storage project in Emery County, Utah, US.  
June 6, 2025
Australia’s Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) has called on Australia’s climate change and energy minister, Chris Bowen, to “urgently intervene” on a rule change that could threaten to derail the uptake of rooftop solar PV.
June 4, 2025
The passage of the 'One Big, Beautiful Bill' could put 330,000 clean energy jobs at risk, and threaten 331 factories with cancellation.
June 2, 2025
The US Department of Energy has downsized a loan to US residential solar installer Sunnova from an initial US$3 billion to US$371.6 million.
May 30, 2025
The US added 7.4GW of new renewable energy capacity in the first three months of 2025, with deployments and planned projects concentrated in Republican-voting states.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
June 17, 2025
Napa, USA
Upcoming Webinars
June 30, 2025
10am PST / 6pm BST
Solar Media Events
July 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
July 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece