Indian Solar Energy Market Outlook 2012 - New Market Research Report

The solar industry has immense potential for a tropical country like India where around 45% of households, mainly rural ones, do not have access to electricity, says the new research report "Indian Solar Energy Market Outlook 2012". The industry has witnessed rapid growth over the past few years and is projected to grow further in future.

India is blessed with ample solar radiation and most part of the country receives 300 to 330 sunny days in a year. India receives solar energy equivalent to more than 5,000 Trillion kWh per year, which is far more than its total annual energy consumption. The country's geographical location, large population and government support are assisting it to become one of the most rapidly emerging solar energy markets in the world. Consequently, the country is becoming a favorite investment destination for both local and global players.

Demand for solar products has been rapidly rising for the recent years, especially in rural areas, and is expected to continue growing substantially during our forecast period (2011-2013). Solar street lighting systems, home lighting systems, power plants, solar cookers, solar pumps and solar water heating systems are the most popular applications in India. The number of solar water heating systems is projected to grow at a CAGR of about 22% between 2011 and 2013.

Many states have started promoting solar based applications by giving incentives and tax savings. States like Gujarat and Rajasthan have formulated transparent and progressive regulatory framework in order to boost the solar industry. Besides, states like Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Maharashtra and Chandigarh are promoting solar energy in rural, urban and semi urban areas.

The report provides an extensive research and rational analysis of the solar industry in India. It thoroughly examines current industry trends, with focus on recent changes in the state and country level regulatory environment. The report will assist investors to understand the market dynamics and get an insight into the future outlook of solar power market in India.

Besides giving projections for various energy indicators, the report contains forecast for different segments of the solar power industry based on feasible solar industry environment. These include:

- Solar Street Lighting System
- Solar Home Lighting System
- Solar Lantern
- Solar Photovoltaic Pumps
- Solar Water Heating System
- Solar Cookers

The forecast given in this report is not based on a complex economic model, but is intended as a rough guide to the direction in which the market is likely to move. This forecast is based on correlations between past market growth, growth of base drivers and possible impact of recession in the economy.

The report also includes brief information about the key players such as BHEL, BEL, CEL, TATA BP Solar India Limited, Solar Semiconductor and Moser Baer India Limited.

To order a copy of the report:   click here

Mid-Atlantic / Northeast - Fastest Growing Solar Market in USA

Strong project installation totals across the board, increasing market diversity and ever-expanding product manufacturing are propelling the U.S.' PV market to new heights, according to Rhone Resch, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA).

Resch spoke at today's opening general session at PV America, welcoming attendees and providing a comprehensive overview of the industry's most important current trends, forecasts and priorities.

SEIA expects more than 3,000 industry professionals to descend on the Pennsylvania Convention Center during the course of the conference, which includes general sessions, topic-specific educational sessions and an exhibit hall featuring companies from across the supply chain.

Although the conference is marketed as a regional event, PV America is the only U.S. conference focused solely on solar phovoltaics, the organization points out.

Resch's speech this morning highlighted solar PV's growth last year and its potential for 2011. In total, 878 MW of PV capacity was installed in 2010, more than doubling 2009 installation totals. However, he acknowledged, much work remains to be done - particularly in continuing to ensure that PV projects of all sizes have access to funding, and in securing favorable policies at the federal level.

In 2010, the expansion of key new state markets was one of the key growth drivers, Resch said. The Mid-Atlantic/Northeast region - led by New Jersey - is now the largest market for PV in the U.S.

"One of the defining characteristics of the U.S. market is its diversity," Resch added. "That fact became even more apparent during 2010. And it's one of the reasons that the world is looking to America as the next great solar market.

"The U.S. market showed strong growth not only in one market segment in 2010, but across all three segments: residential, commercial and utility scale," he said. Specifically, the residential market grew by 68%, while the commercial market grew by 79%. The utility-scale PV market grew at the fastest rate of the three segments - 246% - a rate that Resch called "incredible."

Resch also highlighted the solar market's manufacturing potential in the U.S. Although some domestic solar manufacturing plant closures made the news last year, construction has begun on more than 50 new factories.

Last year, production of cells and wafers in the U.S. nearly doubled, according to SEIA's research. Module assembly posted 62% growth.

However, numerous challenges remain for solar, Resch said. Although the industry was victorious late last year in securing an extension of the U.S. Department of Treasury's Section 1603 cash-grant program, the biggest obstacle for projects is financing.

SEIA has responded to these conditions by developing a multi-part approach to meeting finance goals. "First, SEIA is advocating for a multi-year extension of the 1603 program - an initiative that already has the support of President Obama," Resch said.

Additionally, Resch called for a "clean energy bank" that would supply "long-term, low-cost financing by an institution that understands our technology and is willing to finance projects."

Master limited partnerships must also be able to use tax credits, he said. Such a change, which he says would bring more investors into the solar market, would require modifications to the federal tax code. Resch also called for the federal government to be given the ability to enter into long-term power purchase agreements.

"Finally, we need to develop a national clean energy standard that deploys solar. Providing policy certainty for our markets is critical to attract the tens of billions of dollars necessary for us to achieve our goals," he added.

Resch also noted that extensive paperwork and bureaucratic obstacles frequently pose a challenge to solar power development, and urged listeners to contact their elected representatives to show them how solar projects lead to job creation.

"In addition to promoting specific policies, we also need governments at every level to embrace solar," he said. "Public solar installations help instill confidence in these technologies that Americans want to understand, and provide great marketing for our industry."

To that end, he added, the White House's planned solar installation can serve as a prime example of a highly visible project that demonstrates solar power's viability to the public.



Source:   SEIA

Centrosolar America Offers Leasing Program for Homeowners

Centrosolar America, the U.S. subsidiary of Munich, Germany-based CENTROSOLAR Group AG, has launched the new CentroLease residential leasing program, which was developed in collaboration with renewable energy finance firm BrightGrid.

Available first to installers in select states - including Arizona, California and New Jersey - CentroLease is a leasing program designed to support the installation of Centrosolar's proprietary "solar in a box" system - the CentroPack.

With solar representing a major investment for most homeowners, leasing options have traditionally been available only through private financing or from installing firms that are product-agnostic, Centrosolar notes. With the CentroLease program, homeowners now have an original equipment manufacturer leasing option backed by a global solar manufacturer.

SOURCE: Centrosolar America 

Tata Steel & Dyesol Make Progress on Their BIPV Project

Tata Steel and Dyesol have agreed to expand their joint photovoltaics development project based at the PV Accelerator Centre at the Tata Steel site at Shotton, North Wales. The number of personnel working on the project will be increased from 30 to 50, and activity at the PV Accelerator Centre will be scaled up.

The project, whose initial development phase is due to be completed in June, set out to develop the world's first continuously manufactured dye-sensitized photovoltaic product on steel for building applications. Over this period, the partners have been supported by a technology grant from the Welsh Assembly Government.

"This expansion takes the project from its laboratory and pilot line phase into a pre-industrialization phase," says Peter Strikwerda, managing director of Tata Steel Colors.

SOURCE: Dyesol


View:  Don't count out India -- they have lots of really bright people, money, lots of sunshine, and need a lot of electricity.   This will be a huge market and eventually a solar market leader.   The Indian market is wide open for entrepreneurs with vision and connections.

Ascent Solar Focuses on Niche Markets

Ascent Solar Technologies Inc. has announced a change in strategy that will focus the company's lightweight, flexible thin-film solar module technology on applications for emerging and specialty markets. These markets include military and defense; custom near-space applications; off-grid charging solutions in developing countries; power for portable electronics; and custom and standard products for rooftop integration on buses, trucks and trains.

In the past, Ascent has dedicated many of its resources to establishing a position in the building-applied photovoltaics (BAPV) and building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) markets.

Ascent believes that it can sell its products in the previously listed speciality markets at more attractive margins than currently possible for ground-mount applications or BIPV and BAPV markets.

With the change in strategy, CEO Farhad Moghadam is stepping down. Ron Eller, an Ascent board member for the past two years, has been appointed the company's new president and CEO.

SOURCE: Ascent Solar

Alstom Invests $75 Million in BrightSource Energy

Alstom, a company involved in power generation, power transmission and rail infrastructure, has invested $75 million in BrightSource Energy Inc. This new transaction further reinforces Alstom's partnership with BrightSource, following Alstom's $55 million initial investment in the company in May 2010 and the partnership agreement signed in August 2010, to provide fully integrated solar thermal power plants.

This latest investment positions Alstom as BrightSource Energy's second-largest shareholder, the companies note. Alstom and BrightSource are currently partnering in countries, such as in the Mediterranean ring and Africa, where solar conditions best suit BrightSource's tower technology and where Alstom has a proven track record in engineering and construction of power plants.

Alstom's expertise in steam turbine technology - together with its integrated power plant solutions - will complement BrightSource's solar technology to offer highly efficient solar thermal power plants, according to the companies.

SOURCE: Alstom

China, Germany, Italy and India Big Winners in Raising Money in 2010

Global clean energy finance and investment grew significantly in 2010 to $243 billion, a 30% increase from the previous year. China, Germany, Italy and India were among the nations that most successfully attracted private investments, according to new research released by The Pew Charitable Trusts.

China's record $54.4 billion in investments in 2010 represents a 39% increase from 2009. Germany was second in the G-20, up from third last year, after experiencing a 100% increase in investment to $41.2 billion.

"The clean energy sector is emerging as one of the most dynamic and competitive in the world, witnessing 630 percent growth in finance and investments since 2004," says Phyllis Cuttino, director of Pew's Clean Energy Program. "Countries like China, Germany and India were attractive to financers because they have national policies that support renewable energy standards, carbon-reduction targets and/or incentives for investment and production, and that create long-term certainty for investors."

The U.S., which had maintained the top spot until 2008, fell another rung in 2010 to third with $34 billion. The U.K. experienced the largest decline among the G-20, falling from fifth to 13th. The report suggests that uncertainty regarding clean energy policies in these countries is causing investors to look elsewhere for opportunities.

Italy attracted $13.9 billion in clean energy financing last year, improving its global standing to fourth, from eighth in 2009. For the first time, India joined the top 10 ranking, attracting $4 billion, a 25% increase.

Wind power continued to be the favored technology for investors at $95 billion. However, the solar sector experienced significant growth in 2010, with investments growing 53% to a record $79 billion and more than 17 GW of new generating capacity globally.

SOURCE: The Pew Charitable Trusts