Solar Power Generation Industry Profile

The US solar power generation industry includes about 230 companies that provide a small but growing amount of the nation's electricity. Major companies include independent producers NextEra Energy Resources and NRG Energy, as well as utilities such as Pacific Gas and Electric and Florida Power & Light (a subsidiary of NextEra Energy). The industry is highly concentrated: the top 10 utilities involved in solar power generation accounted for about 70 percent of the solar utility market in 2010, according to the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA). Overall, solar energy accounts for less than 1 percent of the energy consumed in the US today.

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 Japan by a wide margin in terms of installed solar energy capacity. The US ranks fifth among nations worldwide in installed solar energy capacity, behind Germany, Spain, Japan, and Italy.

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 ...