Demand for photovoltaic (PV) projects in the United States is rapidly expanding as a result of falling system prices, stimulus funding and new regulatory incentives, according to a new report from Greentech Media (GTM) Research, Cambridge, Mass. As the recession retreats, the United States is poised to become the largest global demand center for PV, says the report "The United States PV Market: Project Economics, Policy, Demand, and Strategy Through 2013."
Anticipating this trend, global solar market players from all parts of the value chain are seeking strategies to gain access to U.S. PV demand. Simultaneously, the market itself is evolving as utility-scale projects gain steam and innovations in project financing emerge. However, the United States doesn't offer a singular demand market for PV. Rather, it is an amalgamation of 50 states, each of which has a unique set of incentives, regulations, electricity prices and political processes. Even within most states, these factors differ according to electric utility service territory and/or municipality. These factors ultimately impact PV demand and project economics differently based on project size, market segment, and end customer. Developing a downstream U.S. PV market strategy requires a deliberate, highly specified approach to each application, state market and market segment. To read the full report, visit the GTM Research Web site.