Fewer solar projects are being stalled, Energy Department says
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Fewer solar projects are being delayed now compared to this time last year, the U.S. Energy Information Administration reported this week.
Why it matters: Conventional wisdom pointing to politics, permitting and local battles suggests solar is facing increasing opposition, but short-term trends suggest that may be changing.
Driving the news: In the third quarter of this year, solar projects representing about 20% of planned capacity reported a delay, down from 25% in the same period in 2024, the EIA reported.
Reality check: Far more projects today are being delayed compared to just a few years ago, though.
- That 20% still represents a sizable increase compared to 2020, when about 10% of such projects were delayed.
The big picture: Despite a spike in delayed projects, 2024 still saw a record year for U.S. solar capacity additions, EIA reports.
The bottom line: Less than 1% of planned solar capacity is entirely canceled in a typical month, EIA says.
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