The solar energy in the U.S. more than doubled installation in 2010 as revenue and photovoltaic capacity surged, according to a report.
The Solar Energy Industries Association and GTM Research recapped the progress of the industry in the U.S. Here's a quick look from the release and executive summary:
The report also puts the U.S. solar market into a global context:
Most major national PV markets are focused on a particular market segment. In Japan, the residential market dominates. In Spain and Italy, large-scale PV systems drive the majority of demand. In Germany, residential and small commercial systems reign. Historically in the U.S., non-residential installations (which include commercial, public sector, and non-profit projects) drove the market, comprising more than 45% of total installations alone. In 2010, however, both the residential and utility markets expanded rapidly such that each of the three market segments contributed over 25% of total installations. This diversity of market segmentation is ultimately one of the greatest values of the U.S. market, as it reduces the market’s reliance on individual segments and business models.
The one wild-card for the U.S. solar industry is a mish-mash of regulations by state. The Solar Energy Industries Association recommended a more standardized approach.
This post was originally published on Smartplanet.com