The US small-scale solar industry has experienced rapid growth in recent years, with a cumulative total of 60,197.9 megawatts (a little more than 60 gigawatts) of installed generating capacity as of February this year.
According to the Sun Day Campaign, about 10% of that capacity came online within the previous 12 months alone, highlighting the industry's momentum.
The latest year-on-year statistics show a significant role for small-scale solar in the growth of the nation's solar profile, with an estimated 11.4% increase between February 2025 and February 2026.
In contrast, utility-scale solar grew by 23.2% during the same period, underscoring the growing importance of small-scale solar systems.
The Sun Day Campaign noted that if small-scale solar adds another 6 gigawatts by the end of February 2027, renewable energy will account for 39.7% of installed generating capacity in the US.
This milestone is significant because it suggests a shift towards a more sustainable energy mix, with natural gas projected to fall to 38.3% by March 1 of 2027.
The organization emphasized that solar power's share alone will be almost one-fifth of total U.S. capacity, highlighting the industry's growing impact.
As the balcony solar movement gains traction, it is poised to democratize access to solar energy, bridging the gap between affluent homeowners and low-income households.
This development has far-reaching implications for the US energy landscape, as small-scale solar systems become increasingly accessible to a wider range of consumers.
The balcony solar movement is poised to democratize access to solar energy, bridging the gap between affluent homeowners and low-income households.
