Global Commercial & Industrial Rooftop Solar Market (2025-2035): Forecast, Dynamics, Share & Trends
The Commercial & Industrial (C&I) Rooftop Solar Market encompasses photovoltaic systems installed on business, manufacturing and institutional rooftops, providing clean electricity on-site. Driven by cost savings and emission reduction mandates, the sector is rapidly expanding as organizations seek to secure stable energy at lower costs. With advances in technology, government incentives, and net metering policies, the market is expected to register strong double-digit growth through 2035. Global corporations and SMEs alike are prioritizing rooftop solar as part of their sustainability agendas, leveraging distributed energy to achieve decarbonization goals while future-proofing energy supply.
Latest Market Dynamics
Key Drivers
Corporate sustainability mandates and net zero commitments accelerating uptake of commercial solar rooftops; for example,
has partnered with multiple manufacturing units across India in 2024 to install solar panels targeting substantial emission reductions.
Falling module prices and improved financing models making rooftop solar highly viable; JinkoSolar introduced a new leasing plan in May 2024, slashing upfront costs for industrial customers in Asia-Pacific.
Key Trends
Adoption of smart monitoring and AI-driven energy management for optimizing rooftop solar performance, highlighted by SunPower’s 2024 launch of intelligence-enabled remote monitoring systems for commercial clients.
Boom in hybrid solar installations combining solar with battery backup across warehousing and logistics operations, with Canadian Solar unveiling integrated battery+PV solutions for commercial facilities in June 2024.
Key Opportunities
Expansion in emerging markets of Southeast Asia and Africa where supportive policies and power shortages are boosting demand—Vikram Solar secured contracts to deploy rooftop projects across warehouses in Kenya and Vietnam in recent months.
Integration of Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) for new construction offers significant growth, exemplified by Hanwha Q Cells' projects for retail chains in Europe announced in July 2024.
Key Challenges
Grid connectivity and intermittent regulatory approvals are limiting faster adoption of rooftop systems, especially in developing nations like Nigeria where lengthy permitting delays have been reported for commercial projects.
Limited rooftop space and structural constraints in urban environments, as highlighted by REC Group’s 2024 survey amongst retail chains in major European cities.
Key Restraints
High initial capital expenditure remains a barrier for many SMEs, despite decreasing solar module costs; Goldi Solar data reveals that over 40% of small manufacturers cite finance as the top constraint.
Unpredictable policy environments and shifting net metering regulations, such as those recently restructured in South Korea in early 2024, create uncertainty for potential rooftop solar adopters.
Global Commercial & Industrial Rooftop Solar Market Share by Type, 2025
On-grid solutions dominate the rooftop solar market, accounting for the largest portion in 2025, supported by grid integration policies and net metering. Hybrid systems, which include battery backup, are rapidly gaining ground due to increasing demand for reliability amid power fluctuations. Off-grid applications remain vital for remote operations where grid access is limited, especially in emerging economies. The evolving energy landscape and falling storage costs suggest hybrid and off-grid segments will post strong growth in the coming decade.
Global Commercial & Industrial Rooftop Solar Market Share by Application, 2025
Manufacturing facilities account for the largest share of commercial and industrial rooftop solar installations in 2025, driven by high, consistent electricity demand and sustainability objectives. Warehousing and logistics follow closely, as these operations seek to cut rising utility costs. Retail chains, education institutions, and hospitals are increasingly adopting rooftop solar to both reduce costs and improve their green credentials, reflecting a broadening application scope across the commercial sector.
Global Commercial & Industrial Rooftop Solar Market Revenue (USD Million), 2020-2035
From 2020 to 2025, commercial & industrial rooftop solar market revenue has expanded from 15,800 million USD to 39,500 million USD due to increased adoption rates worldwide. By 2035, the sector is forecast to surpass 156,800 million USD, reflecting significant uptake driven by falling costs, favorable policies, and growing focus on sustainability. The CAGR remains robust, supported by demand from both advanced and emerging regions, making rooftop solar a key pillar of global renewable energy expansion.
Global Commercial & Industrial Rooftop Solar Market Year-Over-Year Growth (%), 2020-2035
The year-over-year growth rate of the global C&I rooftop solar market peaks at 24% between 2020 and 2025, as growing awareness and support incentives turbocharge adoption. Growth moderates to an average of 15% between 2025 and 2030 as the market matures, and tapers further to 11% by 2035 as high penetration is achieved in major markets. This trajectory underscores the rapid acceleration phase currently unfolding, followed by gradual stabilization.
Global Commercial & Industrial Rooftop Solar Market Share by Region, 2025
Asia-Pacific leads the global commercial and industrial rooftop solar market in 2025, powered by rapid industrialization in China and India as well as progressive renewable energy policies. North America maintains a strong position driven by the US market, while Europe experiences steady gains due to strong regulatory support and company commitments to decarbonization. Emerging markets in South America, Middle East & Africa are poised for accelerated growth in the years ahead.
Global Commercial & Industrial Rooftop Solar Market Players Share (%), 2025
JA Solar, JinkoSolar, and Trina Solar command a significant share of the global C&I rooftop solar market in 2025. These top players leverage vast manufacturing capacity, global reach, and strong innovation pipelines to establish leadership. SunPower and Tata Power Solar round out the top five, benefiting from early investments in distributed solar technologies and diversified project portfolios. Competitive intensity is increasing as technology and service differentiation become more pronounced.
Global Commercial & Industrial Rooftop Solar Market Major Buyers Share (%), 2025
The majority of rooftop solar adoption is driven by manufacturing companies, with logistics/warehousing operators and retail chains following. The large and consistent energy needs of these segments, paired with sustainability and cost reduction goals, produce high conversion rates. The remaining adoption is split between public institutions and hospitals, demonstrating rooftop solar’s growing footprint across all commercial and institutional sectors.
Study Coverage
Metrics
Details
Years
2020-2035
Base Year
2025
Market Size
39500
Regions
North America, Europe, APAC, South America, Middle East, Africa
Segments
By Type (On-Grid, Off-Grid, Hybrid, Grid-Tied with Battery Backup, Direct Power Supply, Others); By Application (Manufacturing, Warehousing, Retail Chains, Education Institutes, Hospitals, Others); By Distribution Channels (Direct Sales, Distributors, E-commerce, Installers, EPC Contractors, Others); By Technology (Monocrystalline, Polycrystalline, Thin Film, BIPV, Hybrid, Others); By Organization Size (Small, Medium, Large)
June 2024: JinkoSolar introduced a new commercial leasing option targeting small manufacturers and logistics firms in Southeast Asia, streamlining rooftop solar adoption.
July 2024: Hanwha Q Cells announced a major partnership to deliver integrated BIPV rooftop solutions for a European retail chain spanning 180+ store locations.
June 2024: Canadian Solar launched a bundled rooftop PV and storage solution for industrial warehouses in Australia, enabling reliable power supply and load shifting.
August 2024: Tata Power Solar completed 100MW of C&I rooftop installations across various industrial parks in India, signifying growing momentum post-PLI scheme incentives.
July 2024: REC Group reported successful deployment of smart monitoring-enabled solar rooftop arrays for urban shopping malls in Germany, improving ROIs through data-driven operation.
Frequently Asked Questions
About the Author
Abhishek
Senior Market Research Analyst
Abhishek is a Senior Market Research Analyst specializing in market research, industry analysis, and business consulting across Energy & Power. Abhishek brings a commercially grounded perspective to sectors shaped by changing demand, innovation, and competitive dynamics, helping turn complex market trends into clear strategic insights for business decision-makers. With 10+ years of experience across research, analytics, and strategic advisory roles, Abhishek has helped organizations translate data into actionable growth strategies.
Energy & PowerMarket ResearchIndustry AnalysisStrategic Consulting
Key Questions Answered
»What is the market size and growth rate of the global and regional market by various segments?
»What is the market size and growth rate of the market for selective countries?
»Which region or sub-segment is expected to drive the market in the forecast period?
»What factors are estimated to drive and restrain the market growth?
»What are the key technological and market trends shaping the market?
»What are the key opportunities in the market?
»What are the key companies operating in the market?
»Which company accounted for the highest market share?
