Installation and Manufacturing of Photovoltaics: an Assessment Using California and New York

• Main Author: Dohanich, Elizabeth
• Other Authors: Tierney, Sean
• Format: Others
• Language: English
• Published: University of North Texas 2012
• Subjects: Geography; solar panel; installation; manufacturing; 2007-2010
• Online Access: https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc149585/

Renewable energy studies are becoming increasingly important as world energy demand rises and current energy sources are increasingly questioned. Solar photovoltaics (PV) are the focus of this study as a renewable industry still in its infancy. This research examines the geography of solar panel installation and manufacturing from 2007 to 2010 in California and New York. California is the larger of the two markets and has implemented more policy support; programs that appear to have increased the pace of installations, reduce the size of the subsidy, and help lower total costs. Similar trends are observable in New York. US based companies are still making solar panels, but foreign competitors, most notably from China and Mexico, are capturing an increasing share of the market.