# Why 2024 Was a Game-Changer for Solar Energy in the U.S.
If you’ve been following the energy market trends, you might have noticed some significant shifts in 2024 that set the stage for long-term changes in electricity pricing and power generation. These changes highlight just how impactful solar energy, including residential rooftop solar panels for your home, has become in stabilizing electricity costs and reducing market volatility. In this blog post, I’ll break down the highlights and explain how these trends impact you as a homeowner or someone exploring solar options.
### Electricity Prices & Market Stability: The Solar Connection
According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 saw **lower and more stable wholesale electricity prices** compared to 2023—a stark contrast to the volatility we’ve experienced in prior years. This stabilization is primarily attributable to two factors:
1. **Record-breaking solar and battery energy storage installations.**
2. **Declining prices of natural gas.**
Natural gas prices hit historic lows, averaging $2.21 per million British thermal units in 2024. Because natural gas often sets the marginal price of electricity in many U.S. markets, its role in dictating wholesale electricity prices is critical. However,
Original Article: https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2025/01/16/wholesale-electricity-prices-lower-and-more-stable-in-2024/
