US Solar Energy Industry Has Gone Plaid
Although solar energy is a very small contributor to total energy production in the US, there is no denying the impressive growth in the solar power industry. Take a look at these EIA charts, with data through 2006:
Total Solar Thermal Collector Shipments, 1997-2006
Photovoltaic Cell and Module Shipments, 1997-2006
Demand for solar energy is very robust, being helped by progressive states like California and New York that are offering major incentives and rebates to both commercial and residential markets. You can see where the solar panels are being shipped:
Solar Thermal Collector Shipments Top Domestic Destinations, 2006
As more states start to offer incentives and rebates, expect to see demand for solar continue to increase.
Comments
Those charts will definitely continue at a steep slope. I think industry consolidation will spur growth in the solar sector. I write more about this in this article: "Solar Energy Consolidation Outlook"
I comment regularly on the business/investor side of alternative energy on Energy Spin: Alternative Energy Blog for Investors-Served Daily
Cheers,
Francesco DeParis
Posted by: Francesco DeParis | October 22, 2007 1:07 PM