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The big utility-scale solar plants tend to be on the ground in big fields. I think the preference for rooftop solar for individual houses comes mostly because
by elihu 2y ago
The big utility-scale solar plants tend to be on the ground in big fields. I think the preference for rooftop solar for individual houses comes mostly because it's convenient for suburban installations, as they don't usually want to give yard space and the panels would be in the shade anyways. Roofs aren't being used for anything useful, so that's where the panels go. In a rural setting there's less incentive to install on a roof, but you still might put them there anyways if that's where you get the best sun.
I suppose people might also be afraid of theft or vandalism if the panels are accessible to random passers-by without a ladder.
- Veserv 2y agoTo add-on, utility scale solar generation is the majority of generation and has consistently outpaced small scale generation in growth. Starting at 11,233 small scale out of 26,482 in 2014, ~42.5%, versus 73,406 out of 236,090 in 2023, ~31% [1]. So, despite a ~6.5x increase in small scale generation over 10 years, ~19% compounded annual growth, utility scale generation increased by ~10.66x, ~24% compounded annual growth. [1] https://www.eia.gov/electricity/annual/table.php?t=epa_03_01_a.html https://www.eia.gov/electricity/annual/table.php?t=epa_03_01...