U.S. SUN BRIGHT

Price Collapse Stimulates US PV Market Growth in 2H’11…; US to Reach 12% Global Market Share by 2015
August 9, 2011 (Solarbuzz)

"Despite a struggling domestic economy, the US solar photovoltaic (PV) market will double in 2011, according to the latest Solarbuzz® United States PV Market Report. 2011 growth rates vary significantly by market segment, an outcome of the vast movements in incentives and policies at the federal, state and local government level over the past 12 months…

"The US is forecast to become the third-largest solar photovoltaic market, behind Germany and Italy in 2011. While the US currently comprises 5% of the world PV market, Solarbuzz projects an increase to 12% by 2015…"

(from Solarbuzz - click to enlarge)

"US growth in solar has been supported by a combination of incentives and policies instituted at the federal, state and local levels. At the federal level, the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and the Treasury Cash Grants continue to play an important role…At the state level, among various policies, Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) are driving the expansion of the utilities segment, which increased from 17% of the on-grid PV market in 2009 to 31% in 2010.

"In 2010, California still dominated the US PV market…Following California were New Jersey, Arizona and Colorado. Newcomers to the state top 10 list in 2010 included Nevada, Pennsylvania and New Mexico…Most of the states in the top 10 list incorporated drivers such as state RPS and compliance methods (including RFQs, rebate incentives, and REC financing) that influenced the dynamics and deployment of the market…"