Solar on the Rebound
Global Manufacturing Glut Receding
HILLSBORO, Ore. - Solar power equipment
manufacturing is poised for a rebound, according to
Mukesh Dulani, president of SolarWorld Americas.
Dulani said he's eager to explore new business
relationships with utilities to speed deployment of
solar power generation on America's rooftops.
In an exclusive interview with EnergyBiz, Dulani
this week said that the U.S. government trade fight
against China, spurred by his company, has been a
success and is much appreciated.
The Chinese government subsidized Chinese
manufacturers. "Our government is holding them
accountable for it," Dulani said.
SolarWorld, the largest provider of solar panels in
the United States, underwent financial restructuring
last year and now has $440 million of debt, down
from $1 billion, Dulani said. He has been president
since October.
The company manufactures 1 gigawatt of solar panels
and cells worldwide a year; out of a global market
pegged at 50 gigawatts a year, he said.
According to published reports, 200 to 300 solar
equipment manufacturers in China have closed their
doors, down from an estimated 500. Dulani said that
is not necessarily the result of tough trade
sanctions but probably a result of market forces.
The Chinese government has indicated it will
continue to support about 100 solar companies, he
said.
Meanwhile,
a solar renaissance is underway in the United
States.
Last year, 4.5 gigawatts of solar was deployed in
the country. This year it will come in at an
estimated 6 gigawatts and in 2015, 7 gigawatts.
"Solar is being adopted faster than any one would
think," Dulani said.
"One more year of growth and the market may have to
revive factories," Dulani said, referring to
shuttered solar manufacturing plants.
Some utilities are taking steps to reconfigure their
business model to embrace more solar power
deployments, he said.
"We can make it utility friendly," he said. "Let's
all of us work together."
SolarWorld has engaged in preliminary conversations
with some utilities about having utility-owned solar
placed on commercial, industrial, or residential
roofs, Dulani said.
Turning to the recently released U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency carbon policies, Dulani said they
are a good first step.
But he said he would prefer starting with a
government-issued mandate that renewables be
included in any new construction projects in
America.
Within five years, solar power will amount to 30
gigawatts, a sizable percentage of U.S. generation,
according to Dulani.
Energy storage technology will become increasingly
important.
"Every American will know what solar is," he said.
"Solar will be competitive with every fuel and
available to every human being."
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