The global remote microgrid market will expand from 349
megawatts (MW) of generation capacity in 2011 to over 1.1 gigawatts (GW) by
2017.
The primary driver for remote microgrids over the next
six years will be the integration of solar photovoltaics, a technology that
will help reduce diesel fuel consumption, according to Pike Research.
The expansion amount of the remote microgrid market will
surpasses all other microgrid segments combined, whether in the planning stages
or already deployed.
The growth in capacity will translate into total
projected revenue for the remote microgrid sector, of more than $10.2 billion
by 2017.
The report indicates
that this sector is far more robust than previously reported, and with solar PV
prices continuing to decline, is poised for substantial growth, even without
government incentives.
“The global remote microgrid segment is the most
attractive of all microgrid segments from a revenue perspective,” said Peter
Asmus, senior analyst.
Developing countries represent the top prospective market
for remote microgrids. As energy consumption rises with increases in population
and living standards, awareness is growing about the environmental costs of
energy and the need to expand access to energy, especially cleaner electricity.
According to the report, remote microgrids can serve as
the anchors of new, appropriate scale infrastructure, helping to accelerate a
shift to smarter ways to deliver both electricity and humanitarian services to
the poor.
Pike Research recently reported
that the most significant changes in the nascent microgrid market in 2011 was
the beginning of a shift away from pilot projects and toward full-scale
commercial microgrids.
By GreentechLead.com Team
editor@greentechlead.com