The United States, being a global superpower, represents a fast growing and potentially strong photovoltaic industry. Increasing budget expenditure on crude oil, gas and coal, high grid installation and expansion costs, and increasing carbon emissions have triggered the PV industry growth in the US over the past few years. The PV industry registered phenomenal growth in 2009 despite recession. The total photovoltaic and Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) capacities surpassed 2 GW, with a significant increase in industry revenue. Photovoltaic energy solutions have qualified as the most feasible alternatives and have been increasingly gaining considerable attention of industry players across the nation.

According to our new research report “US Photovoltaic Market Analysis”, the US federal government continued its support and substantially increased solar energy technology budget. Out of the total US$ 271 Million solar energy investments, 182 solar projects had received treasury grants of US$ 81 Million (as of early February 2010). With the help of notable government efforts and active participation of venture capitalists, the industry is expected to add around 0.87 GW of annual PV installations in 2010.

Among the segments, non-residential has shown the highest growth potential. In 2010, the impact of federal stimulus fund has come in full effect and installations suddenly rebounded with easy credit facilities and various state governments’ tax incentives programs. Another interesting trend seen in the non-residential segment was the usage of Power Purchase Agreements (PPA’s). Various companies have now started signing PPA’s to make these installations more profitable and long term viable.

The report focuses on the growing marketplace for the PV industry at the national and state level and analyzes the current market trends along with future growth prospects. It evaluates all prominent market segments including residential, utilities and non-residential. The report provides statistics information, state level analysis, PV cost benefit trends, module wise cost forecasts, utility scale solar facilities, etc to help clients identify the factors critical for their successful market penetration and gain early entry advantages.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Analyst View
2. Emerging Market Trends
    2.1 Cost based FIT’s to Attract Capital Investments
    2.2 Emergence of Combined Solar Thermal/Biomass Plants
    2.3 Rapid Growth in Solar Water Heating (SWH) Market
    2.4 Top 10 Utilities - Focal Point of Industry Growth

3. PV Industry Potentials in Renewable Energy Context

4. Industry Overview and Outlook till 2014
    4.1 Market Overview
    4.2 Installed Capacity
    4.3 Installed Capacity by Sector
          4.3.1 Utility
          4.3.2 Non-Residential
          4.3.3 Residential
    4.4 PV Cell Shipments
    4.5 PV Cell Trade 
    4.6 PV Power Plants

5. State Level Analysis and Forecasts
    5.1 Installed Capacities
    5.2 Incentives & Grants
    5.3 Cost Benefit Analysis
    5.4 State Renewable Portfolio Standards and Targets by 2025

6. Analysis by Utility Scale Solar Facilities

7. PV Modules Cost Analysis

8. PV R&D Budget Analysis

9. Solar Policy - 2010

10. Competitive Landscape
    10.1 First Solar Inc
    10.2 Solar Power Inc.
    10.3 SunPower Corporation
    10.4 GT Solar International Inc
    10.5 Evergreen Solar Inc.

List of Figures:

Figure 2-1: Solar Thermal Collector Shipments (MW), 2007-2009
Figure 3-1: Share of Solar Power in Renewable Energy Production (2009 & 2014)
Figure 4-1: Share in Annual PV Installed Capacity (2009 & 2010)
Figure 4-2: Annual PV Installed Capacity (GW), 2008-2014
Figure 4-3: Cumulative PV Installed Capacity (GW), 2008-2014
Figure 4-4: Annual Installed Grid Connected PV Capacity by Sector (%), 2009
Figure 4-5: Annual Installed Grid Connected PV Capacity by Utility Sector (MW), 2008-2014
Figure 4-6: Annual Installed Grid Connected PV Capacity by Non-Residential Sector (MW), 2008-2014
Figure 4-7: Annual Installed Grid Connected PV Capacity by Residential Sector (MW), 2008-2014
Figure 4-8: Photovoltaic Cells and Modules Shipments (‘000 Units), 2006-2009
Figure 4-9: Photovoltaic Cell and Module Imports & Exports (‘000 Units), 2006-2008
Figure 4-10: Cumulative Power Capacities of Large-Scale PV Power Plants (MW), 2007-2009
Figure 6-1: Utility-Scale Solar Facilities by Region
Figure 8-1: Solar Energy Technologies Budget (Million US$), FY 2008 to FY 2011
Figure 8-2: Solar Energy Technology Budget by System (%), FY 2011

List of Tables:

Table 2-1: Gainesville Feed-In-Tariff Program (2009-2016)
Table 2-2: Share of Top 10 Utilities in Cumulative & Annual PV Installated Capacity (2007-2009)
Table 4-1: Domestic Shipments of Photovoltaic Cells and Modules by Sector (Peak Kilowatts), 2008
Table 5-1: Grid Connected PV Installed Capacity in Top 10 States (MW), 2008 & 2009
Table 5-2: PV Programs and Incentives by States
Table 5-3: Cost Benefit Analysis for 2-KW Solar System Installation by States
Table 5-4: State Renewable Portfolio Standards and Targets by 2025
Table 7-1: PV Module wise Price and Energy Purchase Trends (2010-2014)