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Solar  Photovoltaic

Photovoltaic devices use semiconducting materials to convert sunlight directly into electricity. Solar radiation, which is nearly constant outside the Earth's atmosphere, varies with changing atmospheric conditions (clouds and dust) and the changing position of the Earth relative to the sun. Nevertheless, almost all U.S. regions have useful solar resources that can be accessed.

Photovoltaic system n a home and home business.
Photovoltaic system in a home and home business.

   Source: National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Photographic Information Exchange.


Section: Photovoltaic Module and Cell Manufacturing Activities
This section provides information and data received on Form EIA-63A/B, Annual Solar Thermal Collector Manufacturers Survey Annual Photovoltaic Module/Cell Manufacturers Survey.

For the Latest Data on Photovoltaic Cells and Modules

  • Table 10- Annual Photovoltaic and Solar Thermal Domestic Shipments
  • Table 25- Annual Shipments of Photovoltaic Cells and Modules
  • Table 26- Annual Shipments of Photovoltaic Cells and Modules
  • Table 27- Distribution of Photovoltaic Cells and Modules
  • Table 28- Photovoltaic Cell and Module Shipments by Type
  • Table 29- Photovoltaic Cell and Module Shipment Values by Type
  • Table 30- Shipments of Photovoltaic Cells and Modules by Market Sector, End Use, and Type
  • Table 31- Export Shipments of Photovoltaic Cells and Module by Type
  • Table 32- Destination of U.S. Photovoltaic Cell and Module Export Shipments by Country
  • Table 33- Shipments of Complete Photovoltaic Module Systems
  • Table 34- Employment in the Photovoltaic Manufacturing Industry
  • Table 35- Companies Expecting to Introduce New Photovoltaic Products
  • Table 36- Number of Companies Involved in Photovoltaic-Related Activities

Fact Sheet : Photovoltaics Milestones
 This fact sheet provides an overview of the Solar Photovoltaics industry.

Article: The Role of Electric Utilities in the Photovoltaics Industry
This article covers the developed, expanded, and projected role of the photovoltaics in the electric power industry.

Article: Technology, Manufacturing, and Market Trends in the U.S. and International Photovoltaics Industry
This article presents a comprehensive analysis of the current status and the near-term prospect for global photovoltaics market growth in terms of supply and demand.

Map: Solar Photovoltaic Resources on Federal Lands
This map shows solar photovoltaics resource potential on Federal lands and the lower 48 states.

Publication: Energy Consumption and Renewable Energy Development Potential on Indian Lands
This report provides information on the electricity use and needs of Indian households, the tribe comparative electricity rate that Indian households are paying, and the potential for renewable resources development of Indian lands. Solar Resources for Flat Plate Collectors, Solar Photovoltaic Resource Potential (Map)

Publication: Renewable Energy Technology Characterizations, (To view the entire publication, the Table of Contents is hyperlinked.) A joint study by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Electric Power Research Institute, that includes cost and performance data. - Overview of Photovolatics Technologies

Publication: Assumptions to the Annual Energy Outlook 2003 , (To view the entire publication)
Renewable energy generating technology cost and performance assumptions that underlie the forecasts in the Energy Information Administration's Annual Energy Outlook 2003. EIA uses a number of sources, including the data in the DOE - EPRI Renewable Energy Technology Characterizations study, to characterize renewable generating technologies in its modeling scenarios, or, cases. See: Renewables Fuel Module.

Web: Renewables in Electricity
This web page addresses a broad range of issues regarding renewables in electricity such as, but not limited to: tax and financial incentives; re-evaluation of renewable energy policies; electric utility and non-utility power from renewables; legislative incentives that favor renewables in electricity; net metering; renewable portfolio standard; and transmission issues for renewable energy.

Web: Renewable Legislation and Incentives
This web page covers public laws and proposed laws impacting the renewable energy marketplace.

Links to Other Websites

U.S. Department of Energy
Energy, Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN) - Photovoltaics

U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy - Photovoltaics

National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Photographic Infomation Exchange - Solar Photovolatic

Sandia National Laboratories - Photovolatics
Funded by the Department of Energy to advance technologies using renewables.


1The projections in AEO2003 are not statements of what will happen but of what might happen, given the assumptions and methodologies used. The projections are business-as-usual trend forecasts, given known technology, technological and demographic trends, and current laws and regulations. Thus, they provide a policy-neutral reference case that can be used to analyze policy initiatives. EIA does not propose, advocate, or speculate on future legislative and regulatory changes. All laws are assumed to remain as currently enacted; however, the impacts of emerging regulatory changes, when defined, are reflected.
Source: http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/aeo/index.html

Contact:

James Holihan
james.holihan@eia.doe.gov
(202) 287-1735