With utilities adopting standards to increase the amount of solar-generated electricity in coming years, the U.S. could bolster its presence in the global solar-power market. The quickening growth pace could present attractive opportunities for investors, according to some professionals.
At the end of 2009, the U.S. ranked fourth in total solar capacity, with 2.09 gigawatts installed, behind Germany with 9.79Gw, Spain with 4.01Gw, and Japan with 2.68Gw, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance. With U.S. installed capacity growing at a faster pace than that of the international market, the country may be on track to become a more dominant market by 2014, according to Larry Sherwood, an analyst at the Interstate Renewable Energy Council [IREC).
Some 23Gw of solar capacity are under development in the U.S., enough to provide electricity for 4.4 million households, according to the Solar Energy Industries Assn. [SEIA). Solar demand in the U.S. is expected to grow 75 percent in 2011, compared with 2010. About 1.5Gw to 2.0Gw of capacity -- 1.36Gw in California alone -- is scheduled to be installed next year.
One factor could snarl that time line: the expiration of federal incentives, specifically the Treasury Dept.'s cash grant program, which currently covers 30 percent of a project's costs, as long as construction has begun by the end of 2010. SEIA and other groups are pushing to have the qualifying construction start date extended by two years, to the end of 2012. Members of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee didn't return calls asking when they would vote on extending the program. Kaufman Brothers said in an Aug. 17 research note that the firm didn't expect a major decision on solar incentives until after the fall U.S. elections.
So the question is what does ALL THIS MEAN? If Utility companies are having to adopt renewable resources and alternative energy to produce electricity what will this mean for the American Family? The changes in utility mix brings higher costs to produce electricity which means higher base rates. The cost associated with meeting the government guidelines must be paid for by someone, that someone is you, Mrs. Jones and Mr. Nelson, as they same all things roll down high except for profits they role only up hill. More government mandates only means higher costs.
So what can you do to combat this inevitable event? What can Mrs. Jones do to protect her already tight budget while trying to provide for her family? What can Mr. Jones do whom just took a 40% decrease in his salary in order to maintain his job following the American dream? Well you can do one of two things, continue doing what you have always done and give more away while taking less or you can leverage all that you currently have in resources and utilize your real estate (Your roof real estate) and generate a return and protect yourself against the inevitable, increased utility bills.
