ISO-NE: Solar capacity expanding faster than expected
New England expects to see solar capacity rise from about 1,620 MW at the end of this year, to almost 3,100 MW at the end of 2024 – about a 25% increase over last year’s final report. The draft in 2016 goes a year farther, however, predicting more than 3,200 MW through 2025.
All told, solar is increasing faster than expected. The draft report indicates state support for clean energy and action by U.S. Congress to extend the investment tax credit have led to robust growth.
“The draft forecast [for solar] is 30% higher than last year’s final forecast,” Jon Black, ISO-NE’s manager of load forecasting told RTO Insider.
Massachusetts, which currently has almost 950 MW of installed capacity, will see that figure rise to more than 1,600 MW in 2025. Connecticut will reach 850 MW and Vermont more than 350 MW. Maine and New Hampshire will lag, the ISO suggested, each ending 2025 with less than 100 MW of solar energy.
