The preliminary results of a literature review of solar energy market studies in the industrial process heat, passive, solar thermal electric, photovoltaic, wind, and ocean thermal technologies are presented.

This groundbreaking new book features holistic coverage of technological breakthroughs, financing trends, workforce development issues, and comparative regional case studies in solar energy. It provides a global bird's-eye view of the industry for scientists, engineers, business leaders, and policymakers — anyone seriously engaged in the rapidly evolving field of solar energy. The expert author's analysis includes primary data from the first comprehensive solar industry survey conducted in the United States, insights from key thought leaders in the energy sector, and case studies from international leaders in solar development. Solar Energy Markets examines six key drivers of the solar industry: 1) a new culture of environmentalism; 2) policy and markets; 3) financing and venture capital; 4) economics and cost-competitiveness; 5) innovation; and 6) labor. In a field too often marked by divisive over-specialization, this resource provides invaluable context, demonstrating how the solar field's innovative triumphs and inherent challenges play out in the real global marketplace. - Analyzes key drivers of the solar industry at international, national and local levels - Synthesizes the first comprehensive surveys of the U.S. solar industry - Uniquely ties together technological innovation with market implications for engineers, business leaders and policymakers alike - Examines the evolving role of China in global solar markets

This report summarizes and comments on relevant solar energy market surveys and related studies to provide a basis for determining areas requiring additional research and possible policies and actions to aid in rapid adoption of solar technologies. Thirty-two studies are discussed. The first 19 studies directly assess the market for residential use of solar domestic hot water, space, and pool heating. Studies 20 and 21 inspect energy conservation surveys. Studies 22 and 23 examine the financial incentives and financial institutions in the expanding solar market. Study 24 considers energy and low-income people. Studies 25 and 26 assess market sizes for photovoltaic systems and wind machines. Studies 27 to 30 are not surveys per se, but represent secondary source and modeling efforts to gain understanding of the solar marketplace. Studies 31 and 32 present the Canadian perspective on the market feasibility of solar energy systems. Many of the studies contained flaws of concept and/or method to a degree that would bring into question the credibility of individual findings but, taken as an aggregrate, they provide a useful compendium of opinion about present and potential solar energy users.