Oct 8 2012
Research and Markets has announced the addition of Frost & Sullivan's new report "Analysis of the U.S. Utility-Scale Solar Power Market" to their offering.
Expiration of the 1603 Program Likely to Affect New System Installations
Solar power has become the fastest-growing technology in the U.S. energy industry, and will continue to be over the next few years. The U.S utility-scale solar power market has grown during the last three years as a consequence of rising energy prices, volatility of fuel costs, and government incentives for renewable energy. This research service analyzes the U.S utility-scale solar power market along with the investment and installed capacity forecasts. It is supported by identifying the drivers and restraints facing the market. The study is further broken down into photovoltaic system and concentrating solar power system segments.
Highlights
- Utility-scale photovoltaic (PV) plants and concentrating solar power (CSP) plants are expected to accelerate during the next decade in the United States due to the presence of high solar irradiance and the continuous pressure for the implementation of numerous renewable energy generation technologies.
- Cumulative PV solar installations in the United States reached megawatts (MW). The utility-scale segment represented percent, or MW, of the annual installations during 2011.
- No new CSP plant was installed during 2011. However, CSP projects totaling more than gigawatts (GW) are under construction.
- The utility-scale market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of percent from 2011 to 2016.
- Expiration of the government's 1603 Program for installation reimbursements is likely to affect new system installations, especially during 2013.
- The PV industry experienced tremendous supply/demand imbalance through the value chain in 2011. Most solar module manufacturers had to reduce prices, decrease margins, and, in some cases, close manufacturing facilities due to overcapacity, increasing competition from Chinese manufacturers, and lower demand.
Key Questions This Study Will Answer
- What is the current status of the solar market? How long will it continue to grow, and at what rate?
- Who are the main participants in the market?
- How is the utility-scale solar power market expected to evolve among the different technologies in terms of installed capacity?
- What are the main drivers and restraints affecting the market?
- Are solar panel prices expected to continue their decline?
- What are the main technology trends affecting the market?