solar energy growth projections
In a recent survey of the alternative energy industry shows Solar has experienced the fastest economic growth in the last 12 months – but the energy Wind is also increasing and has the most momentum in the future.
The survey – which focused on industry trends and opportunities – was completed 4 August 2008, a total of 196 respondents working in alternative energy sectors participated.
Solar is up
The energy sector solar (51%, up 2-pts) has come on strong in the last 12 months, according to industry respondents – echoing the findings from our survey in December 2007. However, it also has wind energy (49% to 14-pts).
In the future, Solar (56%, by 2-pts) is expected to achieve faster growth for the next 12-24 months, but the wind (41% to 13-pts) is also showing surprising strength in the future.
Moreover, the rapid increase of gasoline prices this year has led to significant gains in the / Hybrid electric vehicle industry.
By contrast, the biomass has reduced in terms of perception of the industry – largely due to the impact of rising raw materials. A third (33%) of respondents said the industry Biomass as the sector most negatively affected by the high cost of raw materials – more than half (51%) specifically pointing to ethanol production.
Since CO206739 respondent wrote: "The corn ethanol producers have scaled back their expansion plans due to the high cost of steel for construction, and the high cost of corn for feedstock. The companies that built facilities years ago have the advantage in capital costs, but are suffering from the raw material costs high and the uncertainties of market conditions. "
Consumer Demand for Alternative Energy
The survey also focused on the customer demand for alternative energy products, and Hybrid / Electric Vehicles (Net = 86) are clearly seen as the greatest increase demand in the coming year with Solar (79) and Wind (+78) products are also getting big jumps in the interest of the client.
But the findings more significant when we asked industry respondents to the rate of demand for alternative energy products of their own company and services.
This is what we found:
# Spike in sales. The business is growing, according to our Alternative Industry respondents – of which an extraordinary 45% see sales of its growing business in the next 90 days. In comparison, only 4% saw their sales decline in the company.
# Setting Capital Higher budgets. In another big positive, 38% of their budgets on capital projects global increase in the next 90 days, triple the percentage of those who say that it will decrease (11%).
# Stimulating demand for inflation. Better than half (56%) say inflationary pressures in the rest of the economy are causing increased demand for alternative energy products and services. The vast majority (77%) of respondents cite the rising price of energy sources traditional and the main reason for the growth of demand. As FID04725 writes: "Inflation is putting more pressure on energy prices what is the cost of raw materials for alternative energy technologies. Therefore, alternative energy is becoming more affordable with respect to conventional energy.
Leading Companies
He also asked industry respondents to tell us that the alternative energy companies they believe are at the forefront of their respective market sectors. This is what he told us:
Solar Industry: First Solar (FSLR), SunPower (SPWR) Wind Sector: General Electric (GE), Vestas Hybrid / Electric Sector: Tesla Motors, Energy Conversion Devices (ENER)
The lesson of the survey This alternative is solar industry continues to burn in the lists and the momentum of wind is now blowing stronger than ever.
Investors take note – Amid a severe worsening U.S. economy the alternative energy sector continues to ride high.
Obama wants to get serious about green energy growth
