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Research and Markets: Solar Photo Voltaics: Amongst the Fastest Growing and most Promising Forms of Renewable Energy for Electricity Generation DUBLIN, Ireland --(Business Wire)-- April 26, 2004 -- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com) has announced the addition of Solar Photo Voltaics 2003 Edition 1 to their offering.Solar photovoltaics are suitable for both large grid-connected generation and small-scale applications. The report examines the status of the technology, its development, the size of the global market and its future development. Applications of Solar Photovoltaincs are also outlined. Market sizes and future projections are provided, together with a break down of grid-connected and non-grid use, distributed generation, details of markets and production. Production is analysed by country and technology (single and poly cell silicon crystal, thin film and concentrators, with sub-categories). Exports are provided. Solar photovoltaics, together with wind power, are the two fastest growing and most promising forms of renewable energy for electricity generation. Solar Photovoltaics is the technology of creating electric power from light. It started with the American space programme in the 1950s and has grown to become a major potential alternative source of energy. At the beginning the primary use was for non-grid purposes, using small cells in stand alone situations but by the end of 2002 grid-connected capacity had reached 74% of global solar PV capacity. The manufacturing industry has passed through three phases since its beginning and is now reaching global consolidation. In common with many other new technologies, the industry started with many small companies in the field. These have gradually been whittled down and in the last ten years' there has been much consolidation in the market. Three leading national groups have emerged in the field, with none global leaders. Solar PV is a clean form of energy, once it is installed there are no fuel costs and with no moving parts it is almost maintenance free. Like wind power, it is ideal in remote locations where grids cannot reach. The technology and the industry started in the United States, but Japan and Europe have now overtaken the originators. The industry is in a state of profound change and development. Demand has grown at 37% a year for the last three years and is set to continue this growth for some years. This new report outlines the technology and the industry, the applications of solar photovoltaics. Market sizes and future projections are provided, together with a break down of grid-connected and non-grid use, distributed generation, details of markets and production. Production is analysed by country and technology (single and poly cell silicon crystal, thin film and concentrators, with sub-categories). Exports are provided. The nine global leaders are profiled briefly, together with their production growth over the last seven years. The 69 major manufacturers in the world are listed, together with their production capacity, analysed by technology. Government and industry support programmes are outlined for the fifteen major markets. Price analysis is included, with details of historical development for the last ten years where available, together with installed costs for grid-connected and non-grid applications. Country profiles are included for the top 23 solar photovoltaic markets. The report contains a directory of 930 manufacturers of solar photovoltaic products and systems, with company name, address, telephone and fax. For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c1516 |
