Market Transformation for Solar Technologies
Market Transformation activities make it possible for states, cities, and utilities to adopt solar energy programs by removing market barriers—for example, by opening the grid for electricity produced by solar power plants.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Program (SETP or Solar Program) promotes the commercialization of solar technologies by addressing non-technical issues that act as barriers to the adoption of solar energy technologies. DOE's Market Transformation effort identifies and prioritizes significant barriers beyond traditional "cost" issues and develops specific activities and external partnerships to address those barriers.
The Solar Program identified the following market barriers to widespread dissemination of solar technologies:
- A shortage of information about solar technologies and little consumer awareness
- Insufficient product standards
- Inconsistent interconnection, net metering, and utility rate structures and practices for solar systems
- Inadequate codes and complex and expensive permitting procedures
- Inconsistent and insufficient state and local financial incentives and other market drivers
- A lack of flexible, sophisticated, and proven financing mechanisms
- Limited education for and insufficient numbers of trained and experienced personnel and services.
DOE is successfully addressing these market barriers through the following market transformation activities.
- Solar America Cities provides financial and technical assistance to cities committed to the widespread adoption of solar energy technologies.
- Solar America Showcases provides technical assistance to large-scale solar installations in high-visibility locations.
- Solar America Board for Codes and Standards involves the creation of a collaborative board of experts who formally gather and prioritize input from solar photovoltaic stakeholders (e.g., policymakers, manufacturers, installers), resulting in coordinated recommendations to organizations establishing codes and standards for existing and new solar technologies.
- State Technical Outreach provides information and tools to state governments and energy agencies developing state solar energy programs.
- Utility Technical Outreach provides information and tools to utilities to assist them in developing utility solar energy programs.
- Builder Technical Outreach provides information to builders wanting to incorporate solar energy technologies into their building practices.
- Workforce Education, Training, and Development provides resources to educators, professionals, and prospective students seeking education and training in solar energy technologies.