{"id":20160,"date":"2013-12-20T16:51:59","date_gmt":"2013-12-20T16:51:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ecowatch.com\/?p=315969"},"modified":"2013-12-20T16:51:59","modified_gmt":"2013-12-20T16:51:59","slug":"substantial-solar-energy-expansion-predicted-worldwide-for-2014","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/leedpoints.com\/green-building-blog\/substantial-solar-energy-expansion-predicted-worldwide-for-2014\/","title":{"rendered":"Substantial Solar Energy Expansion Predicted Worldwide for 2014"},"content":{"rendered":null,"protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\"Photo<\/p>\n

With less than two weeks remaining in 2013, it’s not too early to think about the potential growth for renewable energy in 2014.<\/p>\n

Mercom Capital Group, an Austin, TX-based clean energy communications and consulting firm, got the ball rolling this week by releasing its solar industry outlook<\/a> for next year. While the company compares the leading nations and their prospective solar installations, the report begins with a look at the global picture.<\/p>\n

In all, Mercom expects 43 gigawatts (GW) of new installations around the world in 2014. Back in February of this year, the European Photovoltaic Industry Association said the world surpassed the 100-GW mark of solar capacity.<\/p>\n

Mercom CEO and co-founder Raj Prabhu is encouraged by the industry’s stability and believes countries across the globe will collectively add 5.5 GW more than they did in 2013.<\/p>\n

“Helped by strong demand, the module oversupply situation has improved,” Mercom CEO and co-founder Raj Prabhu said. “Prices are stable, and manufacturers are reporting shipment growth and ramping up capacity.”<\/p>\n[caption id=\"attachment_315976\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"500\"]\"Graphic<\/a> Graphic credit: Mercom Capital Group[\/caption]\n

Mercom predicts that new U.S. installations will total 6 GW in 2014, which would be impressive given resistance from some states<\/a> and the ongoing, congressional debate<\/a> regarding the future of federal renewable energy policies. Those 6 GW would be adding on to the country’s current total of 10.25 GW<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The report says utility-scale projects and leased residential projects have been the main drivers of U.S. growth. through third party-financed residential installations have been the catalysts of growth. Third-party owned installations earned $3 billion in solar lease funds to finance installations so far this year.<\/p>\n

Mercom predicts that the U.S. will trail only China and Japan in new installations next year.<\/p>\n[caption id=\"attachment_315983\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"500\"]\"Graphic<\/a> Graphic credit: Mercom Capital Group[\/caption]\n

“At the moment, Japan is a ‘wild card,” Prabhu said. “Though forecast to be the second largest market in 2014 with 7 GW installed, there are some mixed signals coming out of Japan.”<\/p>\n

Mercom says the Japanese government is still examining solar energy and its role in the mix of available power, making for an unclear picture when it comes to future policies.<\/p>\n

Similar to other organizations, Mercom envisions the U.S. rising above Germany<\/a> in solar installations. India, Italy and the United Kingdom are each expected to add at least 1.5 GW.<\/p>\n

Visit EcoWatch’s RENEWABLES<\/strong><\/a> page for more related news on this topic.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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