DOCSLIB.ORG

The Solar Economy Widespread Benefits for North Carolina

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Solar Economy Widespread Benefits for North Carolina The Solar Economy Widespread Benefits for North Carolina FEBRUARY 2015 About the Duke Center on Globalization, Governance & Competitiveness The Center on Globalization, Governance & Competitiveness (CGGC), an affiliate of the Social Science Research Institute at Duke University, is built around the use of the Global Value Chain (GVC) methodology, developed by the Center’s Director, Gary Gereffi. The Center uses GVC analysis to study the effects of globalization on various topics of interest, including industrial upgrading, international competitiveness, the environment, global health, engineering and entrepreneurship, and innovation in the global knowledge economy. More information about CGGC is available at http://www.cggc.duke.edu. About the Authors Lukas Brun is a Senior Research Analyst at Duke CGGC and lead author of the study. His research at CGGC uses global value chain analysis to understand the competitiveness of firms, industries and regions. Lukas has more than 10 years of experience in the energy and environment research field, including as a senior economist for a Los Angeles-based energy advisory services firm. Lukas holds master’s degrees with concentrations in economic development and international political economy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and bachelor’s degrees in economics and political science from Texas Christian University. Danny Hamrick and Jack Daly provided research assistance for the study. Danny holds a master’s degree in international studies from North Carolina State University and a bachelor’s degree in Spanish language and literature from Wake Forest University. Jack holds a master’s degree in international studies and bachelor’s degrees in economics and history from North Carolina State University. Copyright © 2015 Center on Globalization, Governance & Competitiveness, Duke University The Environmental Defense Fund sponsored the research for this report. Errors of fact or interpretation remain the exclusive responsibility of the author(s). The opinions expressed or conclusions made in this study are not endorsed by the project sponsor. We welcome comments and suggestions. The lead author may be contacted at [email protected]. Cover images (top to bottom): Shutterstock, O2energies. Report design & layout by Winking Fish Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................................ 1 1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................ 3 1.1 Report Overview .......................................................................................................................... 3 1.2 Report Organization .................................................................................................................... 4 2. SOLAR MARKET OVERVIEW ............................................................................................ 5 2.1 Industry Trends ............................................................................................................................ 5 2.2 Market and Technology Trends ................................................................................................... 6 3. UTILITY-SCALE SOLAR IN NORTH CAROLINA ............................................................ 10 3.1 Solar Photovoltaic Resources in North Carolina ....................................................................... 10 3.2 Existing and Planned Solar Facilities in North Carolina ............................................................ 12 4. THE UTILITY-SCALE SOLAR PV VALUE CHAIN ........................................................... 15 4.1 Value Chain Overview ................................................................................................................ 15 4.2 Value Chain Segments and Actors ............................................................................................ 18 APPENDIX ............................................................................................................................ 37 A. Report Methodology, Data Sources and Limitations .................................................................. 37 B. Examples of Renewable Energy Tax Equity Investors, Debt Providers and Project Finance Providers ....................................................................................................... 39 C. North Carolina Utility-Scale Operating Facilities, by County ...................................................... 40 D. Grid-Connected PV Installations (MWdc) by U.S. State, 2008-2013 ........................................... 41 ENDNOTES .......................................................................................................................... 43 TABLES & FIGURES Table 1: 2013 State Rankings of Solar Capacity and Solar Power Generation .................................... 11 Table 2: Top Solar Facilities Operating in North Carolina, 2014 ........................................................... 12 Table 3: Top Proposed Solar Plants, 2014 ........................................................................................... 13 Table 4: Solar investment by County, 2007-2014................................................................................. 13 Table 5: Value Chain Actors in the PV Solar Industry ........................................................................... 16 Table 6: Top Project Developers Active in North Carolina, by Installed Capacity ................................ 19 Table 7: Top EPC Contractors Active in North Carolina ....................................................................... 19 Table 8: Investor Categories and Representative Companies Investing in Utility-Scale Solar ............ 24 Table 9: NC Renewable Energy Tax-Related Spending (<$10M) and Credits Taken, 2010-2013 ........ 26 The Solar Economy: Widespread Benefits for North Carolina i Table 10: Major Inverter Suppliers ........................................................................................................ 28 Table 11: Representative NC Component Suppliers for PV Systems .................................................. 29 Table 12: Major Construction Contractors Active in North Carolina’s Utility-Scale Solar Power Value Chain ...................................................................................................................... 30 Table 13: North Carolina Solar Power Purchasers ............................................................................... 31 Figure 1: 2013 Solar PV Global Capacity, by Country............................................................................ 5 Figure 2: Price History of Silicon PV Cells, 1977-2014 .......................................................................... 6 Figure 3: Global Annual PV Production, by Country, 2000-2013 ........................................................... 7 Figure 4: Utility PV System Pricing, Q3 2014, by Cost Category ........................................................... 8 Figure 5: Best Research-Cell Efficiencies, by Technology, 1975-2014 .................................................. 9 Figure 6: Photovoltaic Solar Resources of the U.S. ............................................................................. 10 Figure 7: Net Solar Power Generation in North Carolina, 2008-2013 .................................................. 11 Figure 8: Solar Facilities in North Carolina, 2014 ................................................................................. 12 Figure 9: Utility-Scale Solar PV Value Chain ........................................................................................ 15 Figure 10: Value Chain Actors Across Phases of Construction ........................................................... 17 Figure 11: Assets Financing New Investment in Renewable Energy ($B), 2004-2013 ......................... 23 Figure 12: A Solar PV System .............................................................................................................. 27 Figure 13: Major PV Solar Cell Manufacturers & Market Share ........................................................... 28 ACRONYMS AC Alternating Current NCDOR North Carolina Department of Revenue BOS Balance of System NC-RETS North Carolina Renewable Energy CGGC Center on Globalization, Governance Tracking System & Competiveness (Duke) NCUC North Carolina Utilities Commission CPV Concentrated Photovoltaics NREL National Renewable Energy Laboratory DC Direct Current O&M Operations and Maintenance EIA Energy Information Administration PPA Power Purchase Agreement EPC Engineering, Procurement and PV Photovoltaic Construction QF Qualifying Facility GVC Global Value Chain REIT Real Estate Investment Trust GW Gigawatt (1 billion watts) REPS Renewable Energy and Energy IREC Interstate Renewable Energy Council Efficiency Portfolio Standard ITC Investment Tax Credit RETC Renewable Energy Tax Credit kW Kilowatt (1,000 watts) RPS Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard MACRS Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery VC/PE Venture Capital/Private Equity System WTO World Trade Organization MLP Master Limited Partnership MW Megawatt (1 million watts) ii The Solar Economy: Widespread Benefits for North Carolina Executive Summary North Carolina is the South’s leader, and fourth among U.S. states, in using solar power to Report Objectives diversify its portfolio of electric power generation The purpose of this report is to assess three fuels.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Beyond Renewable Portfolio Standards: an Assessment of Regional Supply and Demand Conditions Affecting the Future of Renewable Energy in the West
    (This page intentionally left blank) Beyond Renewable Portfolio Standards: An Assessment of Regional Supply and Demand Conditions Affecting the Future of Renewable Energy in the West David J. Hurlbut, Joyce McLaren, and Rachel Gelman National Renewable Energy Laboratory Prepared under Task No. AROE.2000 NREL is a national laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Operated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC This report is available at no cost from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) at www.nrel.gov/publications. National Renewable Energy Laboratory Technical Report 15013 Denver West Parkway NREL/TP-6A20-57830 Golden, CO 80401 August 2013 303-275-3000 • www.nrel.gov Contract No. DE-AC36-08GO28308 NOTICE This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States government. Neither the United States government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States government or any agency thereof. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States government or any agency thereof. This report is available at no cost from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) at www.nrel.gov/publications.
    [Show full text]
  • Sharp's 100-Year History: Company Information
    Corporate Profile / Major Bases in Japan and Abroad 8 9 Name 26 3#! Europe Group Sales company in Australia Sharp Corporation 10 27 3#.: 11 Sales company in New Zealand Head Office 1 2 22-22 Nagaike-cho, Abeno-ku, 3 3%#, 28 Osaka 545-8522, Japan 4 Sales company in Canada 31 28 29 Tel: +81-6-6621-1221 5 7 3%# 6 29 Representatives 20 32 North & South Sales company in the US China Group 30 America Group Mikio Katayama, Chairman 3-#! 13 21 33 30 Takashi Okuda, President Manufacturing division of SEC Middle East and Africa Group 12 22 23 14 34 3,! Operations 31 16 24 Sharp Laboratories of America Consumer/Information Products 15 18 s!UDIO 6ISUALAND#OMMUNICATION%QUIPMENT 2ECURRENT%NERGY ,,# 17 ASEAN Group 32 Solar power plant development LCD color TVs, color TVs, projectors, DVD 19 company in the US recorders, Blu-ray Disc recorders, Blu-ray 25 3%-%8 Disc players, mobile phones, mobile 33 Manufacturing company in Mexico communications handsets, electronic dictionaries, calculators, facsimiles, 3#-%8 35 34 telephones Sales company in Mexico s(EALTHAND%NVIRONMENTAL%QUIPMENT 3"#$ 35 Refrigerators, superheated steam ovens, 26 Sales company in Brazil 27 microwave ovens, air conditioners, washing -AJOR/VERSEAS"ASES machines, vacuum cleaners, air purifiers, dehumidifiers, humidifiers, electric heaters, 3%% -AJOR"ASESIN*APAN 1 3%. 323 22 32( small cooking appliances, Plasmacluster European headquarters 10 Sales company in Sweden Sales company in Singapore Sales company in Hong Kong Ion generators, LED lights, solar-powered 19 35+ 3%2 3%3, 3%#4 11 LED
    [Show full text]
  • 2011 Indiana Renewable Energy Resources Study
    September 2011 2011 Indiana Renewable Energy Resources Study Prepared for: Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission and Regulatory Flexibility Committee of the Indiana General Assembly Indianapolis, Indiana State Utility Forecasting Group | Energy Center at Discovery Park | Purdue University | West Lafayette, Indiana 2011 INDIANA RENEWABLE ENERGY RESOURCES STUDY State Utility Forecasting Group Energy Center Purdue University West Lafayette, Indiana David Nderitu Tianyun Ji Benjamin Allen Douglas Gotham Paul Preckel Darla Mize Forrest Holland Marco Velastegui Tim Phillips September 2011 2011 Indiana Renewable Energy Resources Study - State Utility Forecasting Group 2011 Indiana Renewable Energy Resources Study - State Utility Forecasting Group Table of Contents List of Figures .................................................................................................................... iii List of Tables ...................................................................................................................... v Acronyms and Abbreviations ............................................................................................ vi Foreword ............................................................................................................................ ix 1. Overview ............................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Trends in renewable energy consumption in the United States ................ 1 1.2 Trends in renewable energy consumption in Indiana
    [Show full text]
  • Environmental and Economic Benefits of Building Solar in California Quality Careers — Cleaner Lives
    Environmental and Economic Benefits of Building Solar in California Quality Careers — Cleaner Lives DONALD VIAL CENTER ON EMPLOYMENT IN THE GREEN ECONOMY Institute for Research on Labor and Employment University of California, Berkeley November 10, 2014 By Peter Philips, Ph.D. Professor of Economics, University of Utah Visiting Scholar, University of California, Berkeley, Institute for Research on Labor and Employment Peter Philips | Donald Vial Center on Employment in the Green Economy | November 2014 1 2 Environmental and Economic Benefits of Building Solar in California: Quality Careers—Cleaner Lives Environmental and Economic Benefits of Building Solar in California Quality Careers — Cleaner Lives DONALD VIAL CENTER ON EMPLOYMENT IN THE GREEN ECONOMY Institute for Research on Labor and Employment University of California, Berkeley November 10, 2014 By Peter Philips, Ph.D. Professor of Economics, University of Utah Visiting Scholar, University of California, Berkeley, Institute for Research on Labor and Employment Peter Philips | Donald Vial Center on Employment in the Green Economy | November 2014 3 About the Author Peter Philips (B.A. Pomona College, M.A., Ph.D. Stanford University) is a Professor of Economics and former Chair of the Economics Department at the University of Utah. Philips is a leading economic expert on the U.S. construction labor market. He has published widely on the topic and has testified as an expert in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, served as an expert for the U.S. Justice Department in litigation concerning the Davis-Bacon Act (the federal prevailing wage law), and presented testimony to state legislative committees in Ohio, Indiana, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Utah, Kentucky, Connecticut, and California regarding the regulations of construction labor markets.
    [Show full text]
  • Laramie Recreation RFQ Submittal Creative Energies
    1 PO Box 1777 Lander, WY 82520 307.332.3410 CEsolar.com [email protected] SUBMITTAL IN RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS Laramie Community Recreation Center / Ice & Events Center 25kW Solar Projects Creative Energies hereby submits the following information as our statement of qualifications to design and install the Laramie Recreation solar projects that have been awarded funding under the Rocky Mountain Power (RMP) Blue Sky Community Projects Funds grant program. Please direct all questions or feedback on this submittal to Eric Concannon at 307-438-0305, by email at [email protected], or by mail to PO Box 1777, Lander, WY 82520. Regards, Eric D. Concannon 2 A. Qualifications and Experience of Key Personnel • Scott Kane Project Role: Contracting Agent Position: Co-Founder, Co-Owner, Business and Human Resource Management, Contracting Agent With Company Since: 2001 Scott is a co-founder and co-owner of Creative Energies and oversees legal and financial matters for the company. Scott was previously certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) as a Certified PV Installation Professional. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Geology from St. Lawrence University. He was appointed to the Western Governors’ Association’s Clean and Diversified Energy Initiative’s Solar Task Force and is a former board member for the Wyoming Outdoor Council, Wyoming’s oldest conservation non-profit. Scott is a Solar Energy International graduate and frequently makes presentations on renewable energy technology and policy. • Eric Concannon Project Role: Development and Preliminary Design Position: Technical Sales, Lander, WY Office With Company Since: 2012 Certifications: NABCEP Certified PV Technical Sales Professional; LEED AP Building Design + Construction Eric manages all incoming grid-connected solar inquiries for our Lander office, including customer education, pricing, and preliminary design and has developed several successful Blue Sky Grant projects in Wyoming.
    [Show full text]
  • Analysis of Solar Community Energy Storage for Supporting Hawaii's 100% Renewable Energy Goals Erin Takata [email protected]
    The University of San Francisco USF Scholarship: a digital repository @ Gleeson Library | Geschke Center Master's Projects and Capstones Theses, Dissertations, Capstones and Projects Spring 5-19-2017 Analysis of Solar Community Energy Storage for Supporting Hawaii's 100% Renewable Energy Goals Erin Takata [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://repository.usfca.edu/capstone Part of the Natural Resources Management and Policy Commons, Oil, Gas, and Energy Commons, and the Sustainability Commons Recommended Citation Takata, Erin, "Analysis of Solar Community Energy Storage for Supporting Hawaii's 100% Renewable Energy Goals" (2017). Master's Projects and Capstones. 544. https://repository.usfca.edu/capstone/544 This Project/Capstone is brought to you for free and open access by the Theses, Dissertations, Capstones and Projects at USF Scholarship: a digital repository @ Gleeson Library | Geschke Center. It has been accepted for inclusion in Master's Projects and Capstones by an authorized administrator of USF Scholarship: a digital repository @ Gleeson Library | Geschke Center. For more information, please contact [email protected]. This Master's Project Analysis of Solar Community Energy Storage for Supporting Hawaii’s 100% Renewable Energy Goals by Erin Takata is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of: Master of Science in Environmental Management at the University of San Francisco Submitted: Received: ...................................……….. ................................………….
    [Show full text]
  • Colorado's Clean Energy Choices
    TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION What is Clean Energy and Why Is It 1 Good for Colorado GREEN POWER IS CLEAN POWER 4 Wind Power, Solar Power, Hydroelectric Power, Biomass Power, Concentrating Solar Power and Geothermal Energy CLEAN ENERGY AT HOME 14 Climate Responsive and Solar Architecture, Building America: Colorado, Solar Water Heating, and Geothermal Heat Pumps SELF GENERATION FOR FARMERS AND RANCHERS 20 Stand-Alone PV and Small Wind Turbines NEW TRANSPORTATION 24 OPTIONS Clean Cities, Renewable Fuels, and New Cars CHOOSING WISELY 28 Layout and design: Manzanita Graphics, LLC Darin C. Dickson & Barry D. Perow 717 17th Street, Suite 1400 Denver, Colorado 80202 303.292.9298 303.292.9279 www.manzanitagraphics.com WHAT IS CLEAN ENERGY? Take a stroll in Boulder, Renewable energy comes Montrose, Fort Collins, or either directly or indirectly Limon on a typical day and from the sun or from tapping you’ll see and feel two of the heat in the Earth’s core: Colorado’s most powerful ¥ Sunlight, or solar energy, can clean energy resources. The be used directly for heating, sun shines bright in the sky, cooling, and lighting homes and and there is likely to be a other buildings, generating elec- pleasant 15-mph breeze. It’s tricity, and heating hot water. solar energy and wind energy ¥The sun’s heat also causes at your service, part of a broad temperature changes spectrum of clean Gretz, Warren NREL, PIX - 07158 on the Earth’s energy resources surface and in the available to us in air, creating wind Colorado. energy that can Today, 98% of be captured with Colorado’s energy wind turbines.
    [Show full text]
  • Turkey Lake Feasibility Study
    A Comprehensive Solar Energy Power System for the Turkey Lake Service Plaza Contract #: BDK75-977-18 7 January 2010 Project Research Team Charles J. Kibert, Ph.D., P.E., Principal Investigator S.A. Sherif, Ph.D. Robert Ries, Ph.D. Edward Minchin, Ph.D., P.E. Russell Walters, Ph.D., P.E. Lauren Hertel Consultant Al Simpler, President, Simpler Solar, Inc. Research Assistants Kevin Priest Jason Sanders Sean Snowden Srikanth Madala Milind Gholap 01/07/2010 iii EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Florida Turnpike Enterprise (FTE) has the bold vision of maximizing the use of renewable energy in their operations and potentially supplying all the energy needs of their facilities via solar technologies. To determine the technical and financial feasibility of executing this vision, the FTE selected the Turkey Lake Service Plaza on the Florida Turnpike for a case study to explore this potential shift to renewable energy sources. A University of Florida research team collaborated with FTE and Florida Department of Transportation staff to examine contemporary solar technologies, particularly solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, for their potential to meet the energy needs of the Turkey Lake Service Plaza. The scope of the research included: 1. Evaluation of Solar Electric (PV), Solar Thermal (hot water), and Solar Lighting systems. 2. Assessment of the renewable energy generation potential of the Service Plaza. 3. Designing and planning of photovoltaic systems to determine the energy output. 4. Identification of innovative financing options. 5. Development of a marketing and education concept for the project. The research team concluded that by implementing the Net Zero Energy scenario, the annual electrical energy needs of all the facilities at the Turkey Lake Service Plaza could be met.
    [Show full text]
  • CSPV Solar Cells and Modules from China
    Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Cells and Modules from China Investigation Nos. 701-TA-481 and 731-TA-1190 (Preliminary) Publication 4295 December 2011 U.S. International Trade Commission Washington, DC 20436 U.S. International Trade Commission COMMISSIONERS Deanna Tanner Okun, Chairman Irving A. Williamson, Vice Chairman Charlotte R. Lane Daniel R. Pearson Shara L. Aranoff Dean A. Pinkert Robert B. Koopman Acting Director of Operations Staff assigned Christopher Cassise, Senior Investigator Andrew David, Industry Analyst Nannette Christ, Economist Samantha Warrington, Economist Charles Yost, Accountant Gracemary Roth-Roffy, Attorney Lemuel Shields, Statistician Jim McClure, Supervisory Investigator Address all communications to Secretary to the Commission United States International Trade Commission Washington, DC 20436 U.S. International Trade Commission Washington, DC 20436 www.usitc.gov Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Cells and Modules from China Investigation Nos. 701-TA-481 and 731-TA-1190 (Preliminary) Publication 4295 December 2011 C O N T E N T S Page Determinations.................................................................. 1 Views of the Commission ......................................................... 3 Separate Views of Commission Charlotte R. Lane ...................................... 31 Part I: Introduction ............................................................ I-1 Background .................................................................. I-1 Organization of report.........................................................
    [Show full text]
  • DOE Solar Energy Technologies Program FY 2005 Annual
    DOE Solar Energy Technologies Program Cover Photos (clockwise from lower right): On August 8, 2005, President George W. Bush visited the National Solar Thermal Test Facility at Sandia National Laboratories as part of his signing of the Energy Bill. R.J. Montoya Photo National Renewable Energy Laboratory researchers use a computer-controlled data acquisition system at the laboratory’s Outdoor Test Facility to characterize the performance and reliability of PV cells and modules. Jim Yost, PIX14094 A Cornell University student cleans the solar-powered rooftop of his team’s entry in preparation for the 2005 Solar Decathlon competition in Washington, D.C. Stefano Paltera/Solar Decathlon Global Solar Energy, a member of the Thin Film PV Partnership, produces PV material by depositing CIGS (copper indium gallium diselenide) on a lightweight, flexible polymide substrate in roll form. Global Solar Energy, PIX13419 The DOE Solar Energy Technologies Program Raymond A. Sutula, Manager, DOE Solar Energy Technologies Program The Solar Energy Technologies Program, within the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), is responsible for developing solar energy technologies that can convert sunlight to useful energy and make that energy available to satisfy a significant portion of our nation's energy needs in a cost-effective way. The Solar Program supports research and development that addresses a wide range of applications, including on- site electricity generation, thermal energy for space heating and hot water, and large-scale power production. This is a great time to be involved with solar energy. Photovoltaic (PV) systems are being installed in the United States and around the world in unprecedented quantities.
    [Show full text]
  • LG Modules World Class When It Comes to PID Resistance LG Solar
    LG Solar - Quality & Reliability for the Future LG’s focus on quality control sits at the heart of our manufacturing philosophy. This quality-first philosophy has been developed through decades of creating top class electronic equipment. Today LG Electronics has a team of more than one hundred engineers working in solar research and development. Our module manufacturing plant located in Gumi, Korea uses the latest state-of-the-art equipment to manufacture solar panels that deliver product reliability and high performance for decades to come. It means every component from PV cells to glass and framing undergoes individual performance testing and separate quality control. If the quality of any component does not meet our industry leading standards, then it will not be used. LG’s Mono X™ range has been a huge success in the market and proven to be an investment in superior standards of design, manufacture, back up support and warranties. LG Solar’s high quality has been further proven when our previous model, LG Multi X, passed independent quality testing conducted by Fraunhofer Centre. Full details and results of the report are highlighted below where LG was proud to be one of four manufacturers to not show any degradation after being subjected to high voltage stress testing. LG Modules world class when it comes to PID resistance Outstanding quality and reliability make LG one of only four manufacturers from 13 leading module manufacturers to pass the German Fraunhofer Centre for Silicon Photovoltaics (CSP) high-voltage stress test with zero degradation. Early in 2012 the world renowned Fraunhofer Centre performed an accelerated high voltage test to characterize the PID susceptibility of commercial solar modules.
    [Show full text]
  • US Solar Industry Year in Review 2009
    US Solar Industry Year in Review 2009 Thursday, April 15, 2010 575 7th Street NW Suite 400 Washington DC 20004 | www.seia.org Executive Summary U.S. Cumulative Solar Capacity Growth Despite the Great Recession of 2009, the U.S. solar energy 2,500 25,000 23,835 industry grew— both in new installations and 2,000 20,000 employment. Total U.S. solar electric capacity from 15,870 2,108 photovoltaic (PV) and concentrating solar power (CSP) 1,500 15,000 technologies climbed past 2,000 MW, enough to serve -th MW more than 350,000 homes. Total U.S. solar thermal 1,000 10,000 MW 1 capacity approached 24,000 MWth. Solar industry 494 revenues also surged despite the economy, climbing 500 5,000 36 percent in 2009. - - A doubling in size of the residential PV market and three new CSP plants helped lift the U.S. solar electric market 37 percent in annual installations over 2008 from 351 MW in 2008 to 481 MW in 2009. Solar water heating (SWH) Electricity Capacity (MW) Thermal Capacity (MW-Th) installations managed 10 percent year-over-year growth, while the solar pool heating (SPH) market suffered along Annual U.S. Solar Energy Capacity Growth with the broader construction industry, dropping 10 1,200 1,099 percent. 1,036 1,000 918 894 928 Another sign of continued optimism in solar energy: 865 -th 725 758 742 venture capitalists invested more in solar technologies than 800 542 any other clean technology in 2009. In total, $1.4 billion in 600 481 2 351 venture capital flowed to solar companies in 2009.
    [Show full text]