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.

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. Analysts 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.

Value-Added Report 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

Questions for Competitive Decision-making

• 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?

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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