Utility participation in the market for remote photovoltaic systems: Implications for innovation and competition
- Kelso Starrs and Associates, Bellevue, WA (United States)
Until recently, the market for grid-independent or remote photovoltaic (PV) systems in the US developed with very little involvement by the US electric utility industry. As PV technology has matured, however, utility interest has grown. In the last few years, a number of utilities have started actively participating in the market as retail providers of remote PV systems. This paper summarizes the results of a study analyzing the effects of utility participation in the remote PV market, focusing on the involvement of two investor-owned utilities: Idaho Power Company and Southern California Edison Company. The results of the study suggest that utility participation is having the greatest effects in three areas: market development, financing, and technology standardization. The study concludes that utility participation has the potential to contribute significantly to the expansion of remote PV markets, but that utility regulators need to ensure that utility programs do not stifle the continued development of a diverse, competitive market for PV technology.
- OSTI ID:
- 355762
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-970441--; ISBN 0-89553-169-0
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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