$2 Billion Loss for Generators as a Million U.S. Roofs Get Solar

  • Industry warns revenue loss means unreliable electrical system
  • German plant closures by EON, RWE cited as reason for concern

LAKEWOOD, CO - DECEMBER 11: Solar panels cover the roof at CityScape at Belmar on December 11, 2015, in Lakewood, Colorado. CityScape at Belmar, a recently opened 130-unit senior community, incorporates sustainable features including a solar panel array that provides 49 percent of the buildings energy needs.

Photographer: Anya Semenoff/Denver Post via Getty Images
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Rooftop solar is casting a $2 billion shadow over power generators across the eastern U.S.

With more than a million U.S. houses set to have solar panels by the end of next month, grid managers serving the eastern U.S. plan to cut the amount of electricity they buy from conventional plants by about 1,400 megawatts, starting in 2019, according to industry consultant ICF International Inc. That’s enough juice to power about 780,000 households.