Solar at the heart of utility corporate strategy!

DUBLIN, IRELAND: Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Solar at the Heart of Utility Corporate Strategy" report to its offering.

The development of solar power is proceeding at a strong pace, yet necessary technological breakthroughs must now come from solar component manufacturers for the sector to undergo exponential growth. As the technology draws near grid parity, involvement from the major utilities as a source of significant demand will be of paramount importance.

* Market segmentation data, annual and cumulative solar cell production data, regional and national production shares and top 10 global cell producers.
* Solar installed capacity data for major US and European utilities and detailed market/technology/regulatory/company operational and financial drivers.
* An overview the drivers and implications of the current solar industry trends towards manufacture consolidation and vertical integration.
* Forecasts of annual/cumulative solar capacities and market growth potentials for utilities seeking to develop their solar strategy (13 key markets).

Manufacturing growth along the solar value chain has been dramatic by any standards: 2008 saw further large increases in solar production capacity, diversification of manufacturing locations and shifts in leadership. With new companies and fresh markets wrestling for prominence strong industry consolidation and vertical integration is now expected.

So far, solar manufacturers rather than established energy companies are exploiting opportunities presented by the fast-expanding market. Indeed, European utilities have largely shunned the solar market. However, European utilities will quickly become the largest and one of the most important customers for the solar industry.

India is emerging as an aspiring producer of solar technologies with the infrastructure to support utility-scale involvement. European utilities seeking to diversify into solar should also turn their attention to Italy's solar market, but also Germanys, which is expected to reclaim the number one spot as the most mature solar market worldwide.