Akeena Solar - Competitors

Akeena Solar Competition

Now Viewing Akeena Solar's competition in: Electric Power Generation (primary)

Recent Developments

Largest Solar Electric Generation Plant Planned - Companies facing government requirements to produce a certain percentage of electricity from renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, are closely watching the progress of a solar facility to be built in California. The facility will produce 800 megawatts of power, which would be the largest solar facility in the US, and the first to produce the same amount of power as a similar fossil fuel plant. Though the facility will cost more to build than fossil fuel facilities, experts say that costs should fall for future projects.

New Disclosure Agreement could Set Precedent - New York's Attorney General has announced an agreement with Xcel Energy that will increase the climate change disclosures Xcel will provide in its public regulatory filings. Citing increasing risk from the impacts of climate change and the emissions of fossil fuel burning power plants, the Attorney General wants more information about how regulations and lawsuits may financially impact companies such as Xcel. The industry will watch to see if New York adds other companies to its list, or if other states follow with similar regulations.

Biomass Industry Gets Kick-Start - Using biomass, or natural waste, as a fuel source is gaining popularity in the electricity generation industry. The interest in biomass is being driven by state requirements to use renewable energy sources. The southern US is a hotbed of activity due its large timber industry, but expansion is also expected to continue in the larger California and Northeast markets as companies scramble to meet government deadlines for renewable fuels.

Competitive Landscape

Demand is driven by commercial, government, and residential needs for electrical power, which depend on population growth, economic activity, and electricity prices. Profitability is determined by government regulations and fuel costs. Large companies have an advantage in negotiating fuel contracts and being able to pass the costs of implementing government regulations directly to consumers. Small companies can compete effectively by exploiting market niches, such as offering “green power” in regulated markets. The industry is capital-intensive: average annual revenue per employee is $642,000.

Full Industry Overview For Electric Power Generation

Electric Power Generation Industry Forecast

from Hoover's/D&B subsidiary First Research

The output of US electric utilities, which includes generation, is forecast to grow at an annual compounded rate of 4.7 percent between 2007 and 2012.

Electric Utility Growth Stabilizes

First Research forecasts are based on INFORUM forecasts that are licensed from the Interindustry Economic Research Fund, Inc. (IERF) in College Park, MD. INFORUM's "interindustry-macro" approach to modeling the economy captures the links between industries and the aggregate economy.