TOP TEN UTILITIES FOR SOLAR

Utilities have become the driving force behind the installation of solar energy systems in the U.S. But there is a driving force behind them.

The Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) released the results of a market survey and research, a ranking of utilities for their use of solar energy to generate electricity. Three facts: (1) California utilities lead. (2) California has the longest standing incentives for utilities to use solar. (3) California does NOT have the most sun.

Conclusion: All the utilities need is the incentive.

Mike Taylor, director of research, SEPA: “What has become apparent however is that over the next few years, there will be an unprecedented level of new utility engagement in the solar industry that develops both centralized and distributed systems in new and unique ways. Several U.S. utilities, some of whom aren’t in these rankings yet, are positioning themselves to be the solar industries largest and most innovative customers.”

In the absence of federal action, state legislatures all over the U.S. have been scrambling to pass effective incentives to support utilities in the building of a 21st century energy infrastructure. Expect the rankings to show lots of new names and states next year.

From the report. (click to enlarge)

Nation’s Most Solar Integrated Utilities Revealed; Solar Electric Power Association Announces Top Ten Rankings and Results of 2007 ‘Utility Solar Electricity Market’ Survey
Josephine Mooney, July 24, 2008 (Solar Electric Power Association)

WHO
Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA)

WHAT
Top Ten Utility Solar Integration Rankings, rankings of U.S. utilities for use of solar electricity intheir power output.

From the report. (click to enlarge)

WHEN
- The rankings are based on 2007 usage as derived from a 2007 utility solar electricity market survey.
- 2008 data will be published in the 2nd annual rankings in 2009 and are expected to reflect more variety.

WHERE
- Total solar electric capacity by megawatts: Southern California Edison (SCE) in California.
- Most solar into the grid from its customers (‘customer side of the meter”): Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) in California.
- Most solar into the grid from the utility (“utility side of the meter”): SCE
- California gets the most high rankings but Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin are coming on.

WHY
- Information obtained by a SEPA survey of utilities plus independent research.
- California’s lead is thought to be from longstanding policies promoting solar. States coming on have added good policies.
- SCE’s solar power plants in the Mojave Desert gave it its number one ranking. With other utilities currently funding new power plants throughout the southwest, SCE’s top ranking could be challenged.
- PG&E has the most megawatts generated and the most per customer in customer-to-grid solar electricity. SCE has both number one rankings on its side of the meter.
- Other customer-side leaders: Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (Calif) (most overall capacity), Kauai Island Utility Cooperative (HI) (highest capacity per customer).
Other utility-side leaders:

From the report. (click to enlarge)

QUOTES
Julia Hamm, executive director, SEPA: “SEPA anticipates that utilities will quickly become the largest and one of the most important customers for the solar industry…Whether solar electric systems are developed by utilities, their customers, or solar companies…This market survey and resulting rankings provide a baseline against which increased utility activity can be measured in the future.”