Solar Power Generation

Solar Power Generation

Brief Excerpt from Industry Overview Chapter:

Companies in this industry operate solar electric power generation facilities. Major companies include diversified electric utilities and independent producers E.ON (Germany), Enel (Italy), Iberdrola (Spain), Tokyo Electric (Japan), and NextEra Energy (US).

Europe is the most advanced market for solar energy generation, with Germany, Spain, and Italy leading in installed solar energy capacity. Asian countries, led by Japan, constitute the next largest market. Though China dominates global photovoltaic cell manufacturing, it trails in terms of installed solar energy capacity.

The US solar power generation industry includes about 240 companies that provide a small but growing amount of the nation's electricity. The industry is forecast to grow at a high rate over the next two years. Key growth drivers include demand for environmentally friendly sources of energy.

The US ranks fifth among nations worldwide in installed solar energy capacity, behind Germany, Spain, Japan, and Italy. Overall, solar energy accounts for less than 1 percent of the energy consumed in the US today.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

As with other power sources, demand for solar power is driven by residential, commercial, and industrial electricity demand, which increases with population and economic growth. Additionally, growing concern over environmental and geopolitical issues surrounding fossil fuels has boosted interest in renewable energy sources such as solar. Profitability is determined by government regulations and incentives, as well as technological factors. Large companies have an advantage in their ability to make heavy capital investments necessary to build solar power...