Although photovoltaic technology in the U.S. state of Florida enjoys excellent conditions, the market is poorly developed and, despite, at first glance, high growth rates in recent years, seems still be in its infancy. In fact Florida enjoys more than just excellent geographic pre-requisites. How these can be best put to use in the future will be subject to expert discussion during the 8th PV Briefing & Networking Forum USA in Orlando on September 12th.
According to U.S. PV market experts, Florida has the best conditions for the production of solar electricity. On the one hand, the state has a high level of solar radiation. Secondly, Florida is the third largest energy consumer in the United States with relatively high electricity prices. Public acceptance of renewable energy is also high because of a strong biomass market. Yet the Florida solar market is lagging behind states like California or Arizona. Why this is and how the market can be developed will be discussed by both local and global solar experts during the 8th PV Briefing & Networking Forum USA which will be hosted by the Joint Forces for Solar Initiative on September 12th in the "The Westin Imagine Orlando" Orlando.
Is 192.5% growth still not enough?
The estimated growth rate for installed PV capacity in Florida from 2011 to 2012 is over 192.5%. Behind this figure is an estimated 117 MW in 2012, which puts a figure which at first seems impressive into greater perspective. At least in comparison to California and New Jersey where market volume estimations for 2012 are around 1 GW or 400 MW respectively. Growth is driven in Florida by the large scale segment of over 1 MW which made up over 50% of installations in 2011, a number which is expected to increase to 60% in 2012. Yet both small-scale systems and the residential sector also hold potential. For example, in Florida, there is an attractive scheme valid for systems of up to 2 MW which encourages the own-consumption of solar-generated electricity. However, it is hardly ever used. One of the reasons why photovoltaic technology is not being used a lot is the opinion that PV systems are expensive and can only be operated profitably with the aid of rebates or ta x breaks.
In order to counter these and other reservations, market participants need appropriate strategies, particularly with regard to communicating with the end customer. What these could look like and other aspects that are important for future market development will be discussed in Orlando during the panel discussion on "Assessing the Industry | Best Practice Examples & Trends in Technology". Those attending include Willis He (CSUN), Eric C. Romano (DuPont Photovoltaic Solutions), Rusty Pittman (SolarWorld Americas), Boris Schubert (Q-Cells North America), David Devir (KACO) and Bill Gallagher (FlaSEIA). Apart from the discussion, the participants of the event will also gain detailed insight into the current status of the PV market in the U.S. with particular attention being paid to Florida.
Event Information
The 8th PV Briefing & Networking Forum USA will take place on September 12th from 7.30am to 10.00am in "The Westin Imagine Orlando” More information can be found here: http://us.jointforces4solar.com/...
The organizers would like to express their thanks to the premium sponsors CSUN and DuPont Photovoltaic Solutions, the gold sponsors, KACO new energy, Q-Cells, and SolarWorld, as well as to the media partners pv magazine, Sun & Wind Energy, PV Tech.org and Renewable Energy World Network and TV media SolarPV.TV. Further thanks go to the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE), the German-American Chamber of Commerce (DAHK) and the Florida Solar Energy Industries Association (FlaSEIA).
For more information on the Joint Forces for Solar Initiative, please contact Mr. Daniel Fuchs (fuchs@jointforces4solar.com | +49 228 42966 45).
Further information on the initiative can be found on the website: www.jointforces4solar.com
According to U.S. PV market experts, Florida has the best conditions for the production of solar electricity. On the one hand, the state has a high level of solar radiation. Secondly, Florida is the third largest energy consumer in the United States with relatively high electricity prices. Public acceptance of renewable energy is also high because of a strong biomass market. Yet the Florida solar market is lagging behind states like California or Arizona. Why this is and how the market can be developed will be discussed by both local and global solar experts during the 8th PV Briefing & Networking Forum USA which will be hosted by the Joint Forces for Solar Initiative on September 12th in the "The Westin Imagine Orlando" Orlando.
Is 192.5% growth still not enough?
The estimated growth rate for installed PV capacity in Florida from 2011 to 2012 is over 192.5%. Behind this figure is an estimated 117 MW in 2012, which puts a figure which at first seems impressive into greater perspective. At least in comparison to California and New Jersey where market volume estimations for 2012 are around 1 GW or 400 MW respectively. Growth is driven in Florida by the large scale segment of over 1 MW which made up over 50% of installations in 2011, a number which is expected to increase to 60% in 2012. Yet both small-scale systems and the residential sector also hold potential. For example, in Florida, there is an attractive scheme valid for systems of up to 2 MW which encourages the own-consumption of solar-generated electricity. However, it is hardly ever used. One of the reasons why photovoltaic technology is not being used a lot is the opinion that PV systems are expensive and can only be operated profitably with the aid of rebates or ta x breaks.
In order to counter these and other reservations, market participants need appropriate strategies, particularly with regard to communicating with the end customer. What these could look like and other aspects that are important for future market development will be discussed in Orlando during the panel discussion on "Assessing the Industry | Best Practice Examples & Trends in Technology". Those attending include Willis He (CSUN), Eric C. Romano (DuPont Photovoltaic Solutions), Rusty Pittman (SolarWorld Americas), Boris Schubert (Q-Cells North America), David Devir (KACO) and Bill Gallagher (FlaSEIA). Apart from the discussion, the participants of the event will also gain detailed insight into the current status of the PV market in the U.S. with particular attention being paid to Florida.
Event Information
The 8th PV Briefing & Networking Forum USA will take place on September 12th from 7.30am to 10.00am in "The Westin Imagine Orlando” More information can be found here: http://us.jointforces4solar.com/...
The organizers would like to express their thanks to the premium sponsors CSUN and DuPont Photovoltaic Solutions, the gold sponsors, KACO new energy, Q-Cells, and SolarWorld, as well as to the media partners pv magazine, Sun & Wind Energy, PV Tech.org and Renewable Energy World Network and TV media SolarPV.TV. Further thanks go to the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE), the German-American Chamber of Commerce (DAHK) and the Florida Solar Energy Industries Association (FlaSEIA).
For more information on the Joint Forces for Solar Initiative, please contact Mr. Daniel Fuchs (fuchs@jointforces4solar.com | +49 228 42966 45).
Further information on the initiative can be found on the website: www.jointforces4solar.com
