Nov 7 2008
First Solar Inc. is probably the most exciting company in the solar power industry. It has remarkably low production costs, explosive growth and unique technology. Furthermore, this thin-film solar panel manufacturer is one of the first PV (photovoltaic, solar electric) companies to compete directly with the conventional energy industry.
The entire PV industry has been experiencing tremendous growth, and that growth is expected to continue. In select regions that have the right combination of high electricity prices and good financial incentives, solar electricity already competes with conventional household electricity. As expected cost reductions continue, the size of these markets will continue to grow.
According to Solar Annual 2008, a new report by PHOTON Consulting, by 2012, solar power may constitute 35% of all electric capacity additions, and thereby move from the fringe of the electricity sector to the mainstream.
This subject and more will be discussed as part of the Searching for ‘Second Solar’” Conference Series, a series of three conferences to be held in San Francisco on Dec. 2-4, 2008 by PHOTON Press, the world’s largest publisher specializing in solar energy, and the Boston-based consulting branch PHOTON Consulting.
PHOTON´s 1st PV Start-up Conference, Dec. 2, 2008
Just a few years ago, First Solar was of little importance. Today, hundreds of start-up companies in the PV industry are preparing for commercial production, many of which are based in California. The question is: Which manufacturer has the potential to become the second First Solar?
PHOTON´s 1st PV Thin-film Conference, Dec. 3, 2008
Are the most promising candidates for becoming the next First Solar to be found among thin-film manufacturers? Which of the hundreds of companies worldwide has the best starting position?
PHOTON´s 1st TECAF Conference, Dec. 4, 2008
As a whole, few people working in conventional energy companies have an appreciation for how quickly PV distributed on rooftops and open fields could make inroads in their regions by 2012. The economic challenges from displaced revenue, profits and possibly negative network effects combined with operational challenges and higher uncertainty all may combine to stress these companies beyond their ability to cope.