Gtm Research Logo

Solar market research

December 01, 2010 | Shayle Kann

The U.S. Utility PV Market: Demand, Players, Strategy and Project Economics Through 2015

 

The utility PV market in the U.S. is emerging as a central focus for global players. The current market, valued at $1 billion per year, is scaling rapidly as utilities respond to looming renewable portfolio standards and feed-in tariff markets such as Spain and Germany cut back incentives. These conditions point to a greater focus on the U.S. utility market as a global industry driver over the next five years, with market potential approaching an estimated $8 billion per year by 2015.

Along the value chain, utility affiliates, IPPs and integrated PV manufacturers such as First Solar and SunPower are driving development and leading in PPA contract capacity nationwide. Major incumbents from Europe and Japan are also entering the U.S. A number of these entrants are PV manufacturers following in First Solar’s and SunPower’s footsteps by pursuing a downstream integration strategy in order to ensure a sales channel for their products.

The U.S. Utility PV Project Developer Taxonomy

Note: Click on image above for link to a larger version

Source: GTM Research

This report examines in detail the current state of the U.S. utility PV market with an eye toward the future, considering the perspectives of developers, suppliers, utilities and regulators. We consider trends in project development, utility procurement, project economics, and regulatory structures in order to provide a comprehensive assessment of what is turning out to be a complex, dynamic market.

Base Case State Utility Market Share Forecast, 2010-2015

Note: Click on image above for link to a larger version

Source: GTM Research

Download the report's brochure for a complete Table of Contents and List of Figures as well as more in-depth information on the report's analysis.

Pdf Icondownload

Report Author

  • Shayle Kann
  • Vice President, Research
  • contact

Shayle Kann is the Vice President of Research for Greentech Media. He has spoken in conferences around the world and been cited in publications such as The Economist, New York Times, Wall St. Journal, Forbes, Bloomberg, Reuters, Financial Times, Fast Company, and more. He has also testified in front of the U.S. House of Representatives Natural Resources Committee on the state and future of the U.S. solar market. Mr. Kann joined GTM Research upon returning from Australia, where he was a U.S. Fulbright Scholar studying renewable energy project finance during the credit crisis. Prior to this, Mr. Kann worked in the Clean Energy Markets division of Conservation Services Group, focusing on voluntary and compliance markets for renewable energy certificates. He has a Bachelor’s cum laude, phi beta kappa from Pomona College.

Please select a report license you would like to purchase.

Single User License: $2,995

Enterprise User License: $5,395

Enterprise licenses are for organizations with multiple research users. Enterprise license customers are permitted to share this report internally, among multiple locations of the organizations, and host the report on an Intranet and make it accessible to employees. The report may not be shared with outside entities.

purchase report   White Arrow

Single User License: $2,995
Enterprise User License: $5,395

Pdf Icon   download brochure

value added elements

  • State profiles and demand forecasts by state through 2015.
  • Detailed analysis of utility procurement strategies.
  • Competitive analysis of project developer trends and market shares.
  • Current and forecasted project LCOE by technology and state.
  • Project barriers and potential consequences for utility market.

strategic inquiries

  • Beyond California, which state markets offer the greatest development opportunity?
  • Which utilities will procure the most PV over the next five years?
  • How are acquisitions altering the project developer landscape?
  • Which developers will lead the market in coming years?
  • When will PV become cost-competitive with natural gas?
  • How can PV suppliers serve the utility PV market?

in the news

contact: Justin Freedman

Phone: 617.500.6243