Despite all the news about fracking and coal production, the share of renewable energies in the USA is growing steadily. As a manufacturer of PV mounting systems, we are naturally pleased about this. Currently, two million solar systems are installed in the USA. Almost half of the PV systems are located in sunny California alone. But other states are also making strong gains. Due to the closure of coal-fired power plants - as many as 18 plants were taken offline in 2018 - and the expansion of renewables, the transformation of the power sector in the U.S. continues to move forward. Renewables, including hydropower, now provide nearly 18 percent of U.S. electricity. Hydropower provides the majority of green energy, accounting for about half of the total. But photovoltaics are also driving this growth, adding nearly 12 GW of new capacity. Crystalline silicon (c-Si) solar module prices declined to about 27 U.S. cents per watt in 2018, a dramatic drop from $79 per watt (2018 U.S. dollars) in 1976.

In addition to favorable module prices, strategies to promote sustainable energy growth by setting new, ambitious clean energy targets and regulations are also on the agenda for the coming years. These are good prospects for the solar industry. The Solar Energy Industries Association projects that total installed PV capacity in the U.S. will more than double in the next 5 years. Their projections show that over 14 GW of PV capacity will be installed annually by 2023.

The American PV market

After an annual low in 2017, the solar industry recovered in recent months. After all, around 32,000 new PV systems were installed on roofs in 2018. However, uncertainties regarding solar and metal tariffs continue to weigh on purchasing decisions. One reason that in the past, the U.S. market for residential and commercial solar has shrunk. In the meantime, however, there are signs that the market is picking up again in some states, especially in California, which continues to lead the way. A landmark decision by the California Energy Commission in early 2018 is also playing an important role. Starting in 2020, all new homes will be required to have a PV system installed. This decision also has a significant impact on long-term forecasts. This, of course, has a significant impact on the residential market for PV mounting systems. In addition, demand continues to increase due to developments in the combination of photovoltaics and storage (PV + S). Here, California and Hawaii are clearly ahead in the area of "projects on order". Tesla's solar division experienced a decline. The company had to relinquish its leading role in the solar market to competitor Sunrun in 2018. Prior to that, Tesla at times accounted for one-third of all new photovoltaic installations on homes in the United States. But that could quickly change again. This year, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has announced plans to ramp up production of the solar roof, which was unveiled back in 2016, and to reach a production of 1,000 solar roofs per week by the end of the year.

Prospects for the next few years

The solar industry in the U.S. remained robust in 2018 - despite uncertainty over new tax and tariff policies. While the focus for the current U.S. administration is not exactly on expanding renewable energy, many others are filling that void. States, cities, communities, and companies continue to respond with increasingly ambitious sustainability goals that are driving solar market growth.

Mounting Systems - More than a system. It's a brand.

One of the first events of the year in the field of renewable energy in Europe is Genera in Madrid, which took place from 5 to 7 February. It brought together installers, experts, students, manufacturers, EPC and distributors under one roof. The event was hosted by the company IFEMA.

Debuting at Genera 2020 as an exhibitor: Over the past year, Mounting Systems has experienced significant interest in its solar mounting products worldwide, particularly in the Spanish-speaking market. Through a strategic recruitment strategy, we have been able to capitalize on this interest through a Spanish sales and technical team. As a result, we are celebrating a new and promising partnership with NED Ibérica, a renewable energy distributor based in Spain and France. To communicate this growth and success to the market, it was appropriate to present our products and brand in a space of 50 m² at Genera 2020.

Supply the Spanish market with new products

With our new partner Ned Ibérica, we presented a joint portfolio in the field of solar energy to potential customers. At the Mounting Systems booth, interested parties were able to familiarize themselves with various options for mounting PV modules. For this purpose, our classic ProLine exhibits were presented in a practical manner. Especially the flat roof system Light-S and Light-EW attracted a lot of attention.

Our focus this year is on PV solutions for future urban developments. The solar market is growing and policy makers are pushing to increase the share of renewable energy in the grid. Despite the great interest in solar energy in Spain and despite the perfect solar conditions, there are few residential and commercial rooftops with solar installations. Mounting Systems is accordingly motivated to boost the market with low-cost, high-quality PV rooftop systems to help potential customers make the decision to install photovoltaic systems. Mounting Systems also has new, innovative PV system solutions ready for the future solar market for roofs with limited or unsuitable m2 area. For example, one innovation is Mounting Systems' solar carports, such as the E-Port Home, E-Port Line, E-Port Wings, which are suitable for both private parking lots and larger commercial parking lots. In this way, we can help establish the market for e-mobility and solar carports with affordable and durable products.

We are creating a path for a greener future

If we look at the developments in vehicles and the changes in urban spaces, it is pretty certain that solar carports will be a standard offering in most commercial parking lots. All major car manufacturers have been offering electric vehicles for some time now. which can be refueled in cities and along highways, at charging stations. The resulting increased demand for electricity will lead to larger commercial centers, such as business districts, shopping centers, airports to provide electricity for customer e-mobility. The most economical way to meet this demand is through solar panels. If city centers and airports take advantage of this opportunity, the power supply can be secured nationally. This is because e-vehicles can be charged in solar parking lots, helping to sustainably meet energy needs. Join us on this journey!

Do you have any questions? We are happy to advise you!

Mounting Systems - More than a system. It's a brand.

Mounting Systems GmbH will exhibit at the Genera trade fair in Madrid from February 5 to 7, presenting the latest innovations in PV systems for substructures in the solar industry.

The exhibits we have on display, such as the solar carports, the ground-mounted and flat roof systems, and the trapezoidal sheet metal rails, invite you to learn more about our products at our booth 10C28. All of our systems are manufactured in Germany with a focus on high quality and a simple design. For more than 25 years we have been working on new and innovative PV systems to meet the demands of installers, project planners and wholesalers. At Genera 2020 we will present our new carport E-Port and our outdoor steel system 2-PostST.

Visit our booth 10C28 and take the opportunity to try the free online solar planner EasyTool, which can calculate the perfect solar system for your home within minutes.

We look forward to seeing you at booth 10C28!

You are welcome to make an appointment with us at the Genera trade show:

+49 2232 2050 177

info-de@mounting-systems.com

Mounting Systems - More than a system. It's a brand.