QUICK NEWS, May 17: CAN CONGRESS DO NEW ENERGY; WHERE IN THE WORLD THE SUN WILL RISE; BIG BUCKS IN MANAGING ENERGY AT HOME

CAN CONGRESS DO NEW ENERGY Does A Clean Energy Standard Have Any Chance In Congress?

Laura DeMugno, 15 May 2012 (North American Windpower)

“A new study predicts that an 80% by 2035 clean energy standard, similar to the one introduced by Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., in March, could pass both chambers of Congress if it increases electricity rates by less than 5% on average.

“The report, published in the scientific journal Nature Climate Change, concluded that in order for the Senate to pass such a policy, the average increase would have to amount to less than $59 per year for the average U.S. household, and for the House of Representatives to pass it, additional costs would have to be below $48 per year.”

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“A recent report from the Energy Information Administration found that Bingaman's proposal would not increase electricity rates in the first 10 years following its enactment, but rates would likely climb after that…However, customers may be willing to pay for that increase, the authors of the study claim…

“…[T]he average U.S. citizen is willing to pay an additional $162 per year on his or her electric bills in order to purchase clean energy…[S]ome utilities are already offering customers the option to choose renewable energy for a slightly higher premium…Bingaman’s clean energy standard proposal will be the focus of a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing on May 17.”

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WHERE IN THE WORLD THE SUN WILL RISE PV Revenue Growth in 2H’12 Stimulated by US and Asia Pacific Pipelines; Shift Towards Emerging PV Markets Outside Europe Highlights Importance of Diversified Downstream Strategies

14 May 2012 (Solarbuzz)

“Solar photovoltaic (PV) demand during 2H’12 will see increasing contributions from emerging markets in North America and Asia Pacific, with 60% of PV demand coming from these non-European regions according to new research…[from] NPD Solarbuzz…This represents an important change for the PV industry, indicative of longer-term trends in which the share of global PV demand stimulated by European countries will decline. While 50% of global demand during 2H’11 came from Germany and Italy, 54% of demand in the final quarter of 2012 is forecast to come from China, India, Japan and the US…

“During 2H’12, utility-scale projects will accelerate PV growth across North America and Asia Pacific, representing 57% of demand in those regions. To realize projects on-time and within budget, the role of project developers will become increasingly important, especially in accessing finance and coordinating necessary permits and EPC (engineering, procurement, and construction) providers. Downstream companies that can provide monitoring, performance guarantees or project maintenance to ensure the quality of electricity delivered will also benefit from this segment growth.”

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“Large ground-mount projects (>5 MW in capacity) across China and India are forecast to dominate Asia Pacific demand during 2H’12. Over 2.2 GW are expected to be completed in Q4'12, ahead of year-end policy expiration dates…PV demand in Japan during 2H’12 is forecast to exceed 1.1 GW, representing 74% growth compared to 2H’11…Although the impact of the cash grant will decline, more than 60% of 2012 US demand will occur during 2H’12, driven by utility-scale projects towards RPS (renewable portfolios standard) compliance in California and other states, as well as residential lease expansions to the east coast…

“Key European market segment changes from Q1’12 to Q2’12 include a rise in ground-mount share from 28% to 33%, residential share rising from 19% to 22%, and building-mount share declining from 53% to 44%. However, 2H’12 will be characterized by declines in the ground-mount sector due to the shift in policy focus, especially across more mature markets…”

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BIG BUCKS IN MANAGING ENERGY AT HOME Despite Slow Start, Home Energy Management Market Will Surpass $2 Billion in Annual Revenue by 2020

May 16, 2012 (Pike Research)

“…[T]he once hyped home energy management (HEM) market has struggled to gain traction. Numerous trials have led to only a few cases of industry deployments and to anemic rates of consumer adoption. Today that is starting to change, and over the remainder of the decade momentum will build in this nascent market…

“…According to a new report from Pike Research, global annual shipments of standalone HEM systems will grow from a quarter million in 2011 to nearly 4.7 million in 2020, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 38.3%. Combined revenue for all HEM segments will grow from a base of $93 million in 2011 to more than $2 billion in 2020…”

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“HEM products can be viewed in five groups, or segments, along a continuum that moves from paper bills (a mailed statement from the utility showing a customer’s energy usage as it compares to households nearby), through standalone HEM systems, which include some device-level tracking and automated device control capabilities, up to networked HEM, comprising auto-pricing response capabilities, demand response (DR) load control, and home automation controls…

“…Of these, networked-HEM revenue will see the strongest growth (76.8% CAGR), as utilities attempt to drive volume sales of networked HEM systems in order to make DR and time-of-use pricing schemes feasible…”

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