SEIA Resources
Reports
SEIA produces a variety of research and other supporting resources for the solar industry, ranging from full reports to short factsheets. Below is a list of our reports, organized by date. For a full library of research and resources, click here.
Integrating Solar PV in Utility System Operations
As solar PV continues to expand, utilities are increasingly conducting studies on how best to integrate these resources into the grid. Argonne National Laboratory has released their most recent study on the topic which examines the decisions and processes made in the day-ahead, hour-ahead and real time markets.
RESIDENTIAL PROSUMERS - DRIVERS AND POLICY OPTIONS (RE-PROSUMERS)
This International Energy Agency report looks at the various policy options available to decision makers as increased distributed PV penetration proves disruptive to the centralized business models of traditional utilities. In its 150 pages, the IEA details the complicated set of drivers that will determine the expansion of distributed PV and seeks to provide policy makers with a clear understanding of the "disruptive" nature of solar PV.
Survey of State-Level Cost and Benefit Estimates of Renewable Portfolio Standards
The report summarizes state-level RPS costs to date and considers how those costs may evolve going forward given scheduled increases in RPS targets and cost containment mechanisms incorporated into existing policies. The report also summarizes RPS benefits estimates, based on published studies for individual states, and discusses key methodological considerations.
Solar Market Insight Report 2014 Q1
U.S. Solar Market Insight™ is a collaboration between the Solar Energy Industries Association® (SEIA®) and GTM Research that brings high-quality, solar-specific analysis and forecasts to industry professionals in the form of quarterly and annual reports. Released May 29, 2014.
Report Details Opportunities for Advanced Electronics as PV Penetration Increases
With a projected growth rate of 300% in the US over the next four years, distributed solar presents a number of challenges to the current distribution grid. This report from GTM Research details the new power electronics equipment used to address these challenges and provides descriptions of key markets, financing activity in the sector and state level market forecasting.
LBNL Analyzes Project Finance Impacts Under Reduced ITC Scenario
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) recently released a report detailing possible impacts on solar project financing in light of possible reductions to the Investment Tax Credit (ITC). The report finds that a reduction in the ITC will lead to increased use of debt instruments and decreased use of tax equity.
International Energy Agency Releases PVPS Annual Report
The International Energy Agency has released its Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme (PVPS) Annual Report 2013, detailing solar market conditions and updating installation data for each of the 29 member countries. The report also provides updates on several joint tasks undertaken by the committee.
National Solar Schools Census
Do you represent a K-12 school that has gone solar? The Solar Foundation (TSF) wants to hear from you! With support from the U.S. Department of Energy’s SunShot Solar Outreach Partnership and the Solar Energy Industries Association, TSF’s National Solar Schools Census effort seeks to build the most comprehensive database yet of K-12 solar schools, understand the challenges schools face in going solar, and learn how solar has been used as a teaching tool in these schools.
Report Details Solar Potential of LA Metro Area
The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) has partnered with the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs to produce a report detailing the impacts of climate change on communities in the LA metro area. The report also describes the potential for solar investment in each of the communities and the policies that help support that investment.
The Effectiveness of State-Level Policies on Solar Market Development in Different State Contexts
The Energy Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has published a report that aligns solar policy and market success with state demographics. By organizing the 48 contiguous states into four peer groups based on shared non-policy characteristics, the NREL research team was able to contextualize the impact of various solar policies on photovoltaic (PV) installations.