Once a niche sector, community solar is having its moment in the sun with the U.S. market installing a record 1.7 GW of capacity in 2024, a 35% increase from 2023. The momentum reflects rising recognition of community solar's potential to democratize renewable energy access while addressing the limits of traditional rooftop installations. The sector now includes projects across 41 states and Washington, D.C., with at least 19 states running active programs. New York, Maine, and Illinois led 2024 growth, setting new annual records and accounting for 83% of national volumes.

However, challenges remain that could hinder future development for EPCs and developers lacking the right insights and components.

Public Perception and Knowledge Gaps About Community Solar

A new study revealed a major barrier in the public’s understanding and acceptance of community solar programs. The study, conducted by Ohio State University, found that despite highlighting how community solar subscribers have substantially fewer barriers to adoption due to not needing financing and avoiding the complexity of physical panel installation, survey participants still preferred rooftop installations over community solar subscriptions.

The study suggests that the gap in participants’ preferences stems from basic knowledge limitations rather than practical constraints, and even well-designed community solar programs may struggle without targeted education and outreach efforts to bridge consumer awareness gaps.

For developers creating subscriber acquisition strategies, the authors noted that financial considerations influence adoption decisions more than environmental or social factors. So, to appeal to subscriber preferences, these strategies should emphasize practical benefits, such as cost savings and protection from electricity rate hikes, which work as a strong motivator.

Regulatory Complexity and Policy Uncertainty

Inconsistent state policies and evolving federal rules continue to present ongoing challenges for community solar developers and EPCs, with the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) injecting fresh uncertainty into the market through tightened tax credit requirements and compressed timelines. The new legislation mandates "substantial" project completion within 12 months to qualify for tax credits. For now, however, “substantial” remains undefined, and the order does not specify progression level thresholds to qualify. Nonetheless, the compressed timeline brings unique difficulties for community solar developments, which involve more complex logistics and stakeholder coordination than residential projects. Additionally, uncertainty remains surrounding the bonus adders for domestic content.

Developers and EPCs will need a partner that can provide a pathway to rapid module procurement, no matter the circumstances that may arise.

Community Solar Opportunities in Mid-Sized Real Estate

A promising avenue for community solar development has opened with a growing interest amongst mid-sized commercial real estate owners. Historically, these property owners avoided solar installations due to tenant lease terms, split incentives, and payback periods that clashed with leasing timelines. Community solar has flipped the script by enabling property owners to maximize rooftop usage while selling power off-site to local subscribers.

This approach turns traditional constraints, like tenant-controlled meters and short lease terms, into advantages. Instead of sizing systems to unpredictable tenant occupancy, EPCs and developers can help owners fully leverage a property’s rooftop capacity to generate steady rental income with larger rooftop PV installations and high-efficiency n-type TOPCon solar panels. The resulting economies of scale can boost both total revenue and per-megawatt returns while giving property owners passive income streams and enhancing net operating income. Meanwhile, real estate investors can also tap into new asset valuation opportunities by generating rental income that flows directly into property value calculations. 

Developers looking to partner with commercial property owners to lease rooftop space should demonstrate how owners can diversify revenue streams and generate steady income, all without managing the solar installations themselves.

Maximize Yields with High-Efficiency N-Type TOPCon PV Modules 

Deploying high-efficiency n-type TOPCon 620W modules will be a crucial strategy for optimizing community solar system performance and economic viability. Trinasolar’s Vertex N PV modules deliver high-efficiency performance that improves project economics through enhanced energy yields and reduced installation and balance of system (BOS) costs.

The family of Vertex N modules offers several advantages that make them ideal for community solar projects, regardless of locations or climate. For projects located in regions prone to severe weather, the new Vertex N Shield NED19RC delivers the strongest protection by withstanding hailstones up to 55mm, mechanical loads up to +7000/-4000Pa, and uneven snow load capacity up to 6000Pa. 

The bifacial Vertex N NEG19RC module provides additional energy generation by boosting yields up to 85%, allowing developers to maximize land use and roof space while improving project economics.

Speed Up Module Procurement, Ensure Long-Term PV System Performance

Reliability presents another key advantage of high-efficiency Vertex N modules. For the 11th consecutive year, the Kiwa PVEL PV Module Reliability Scorecard recognized Vertex N as a "Top Performer" due to the module’s excellent performance during testing. This strong, long-term performance reduces operational and maintenance (O&M) costs while ensuring consistent energy delivery to community subscribers.

However, the Scorecard also showed that 66% of module manufacturers experienced at least one test failure, the highest percentage recorded. This result underscores the importance of careful module selection and procurement for community solar developers aiming for long-term project performance.

Although EPCs and developers have new avenues to pursue community solar projects, public perception and compressed timelines showing “substantial” progress (whatever that turns out to be) can potentially derail these opportunities. 

With a domestic content roadmap reinforced by global supply, Trinasolar US is the dependable supplier with reliable modules that meet the needs of its U.S. community solar EPC and developer partners.

Interested in high-efficiency n-type TOPCon Vertex N modules assembled in America? Click here to find out where to buy them or reach out to a local team member today to learn more.

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