SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Innovate. Sustain. Transform.
Save up to 30% on top Physical Sciences & Engineering titles!

This groundbreaking new book features holistic coverage of technological breakthroughs, financing trends, workforce development issues, and comparative regional case studies in so… Read more
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Save up to 30% on top Physical Sciences & Engineering titles!
This groundbreaking new book features holistic coverage of technological breakthroughs, financing trends, workforce development issues, and comparative regional case studies in solar energy. It provides a global bird's-eye view of the industry for scientists, engineers, business leaders, and policymakers — anyone seriously engaged in the rapidly evolving field of solar energy. The expert author's analysis includes primary data from the first comprehensive solar industry survey conducted in the United States, insights from key thought leaders in the energy sector, and case studies from international leaders in solar development. Solar Energy Markets examines six key drivers of the solar industry: 1) a new culture of environmentalism; 2) policy and markets; 3) financing and venture capital; 4) economics and cost-competitiveness; 5) innovation; and 6) labor. In a field too often marked by divisive over-specialization, this resource provides invaluable context, demonstrating how the solar field’s innovative triumphs and inherent challenges play out in the real global marketplace.
Acknowledgments
1. Introduction: An Overview of the Solar Industry
2. The Mechanics of Solar Power
Installed Capacity
The Manufacturing Process
Thin Film
Concentrated Solar Energy
Parabolic Trough
Power Tower
Fresnel Reflectors
3. The New Culture of Environmentalism
Global Trends
United States
Europe
China
4. Finance and Venture Capital
Research, Development, and Deployment
Private Investment Trends
Global Investments
Public Sector Spending
5. Global Solar Policy
Energy Policy
EU Policy Framework
Germany
6. Federal and State Energy Policies
Federal Policies
State Policies
PACE
7. The Solar Labor Market—Efficiencies and Productivity
United States
Installation
Manufacturing
Sales and Distribution
Project Developers
Other
Germany
China
8. Global Markets
Global Energy Demand
9. The Economics of Solar Power
10. Afterward
Glossary
PJ