Photovoltaics Supply Chain Database
As traditional crystalline technologies improve and as new thin film technologies come on line, cost reduction is becoming a bigger and bigger issue. If PV costs come down and utility power costs go up on their respective average rates, PV will be directly competitive with conventional energy with no incentives or rebates within 5-10 years. This assumes no tax incentives, rebates, or subsidies. A 30-35% incentive will make PV cost competitive in Ohio today. If you account for the value of the Renewable Energy Certificates generated by a system, PV electricity is already cost competitive today in the southwestern US where electricity is >$.15 per kwh.
Even average photovoltaic (PV) price drops and average utility price rises will cause PV energy to be cheaper than conventional energy within 10 years. This assumes no tax incentives, rebates, or subsidies.
Surprisingly, Ohio has about 2/3 as much solar energy as Arizona. However, Ohio's manufacturing expertise and ability to supply parts into the PV supply chain is likely where we will be most successful in the PV industry. The supply chain for the PV industry has recently suffered setbacks due to the silicon shortage, but is rapidly recovering from that thanks to new investments by the large silicon suppliers. The supply chain for the PV industry includes manufacturers and system integrators in semiconducting materials, glass, polymers, thin film coating machines, metal extrusion and stamping, power electronics, roll-to-roll fabrication, and system design and installation.
View the Ohio Map
We realize that graphical visualization of data is very useful. So we have created the Ohio Alternative Energy Map, which plots each alternative energy company in Ohio on a map, along with links to their expanded profile.
Curious what companies are located near you? Find out!