Each year the U.S. government relies upon mandatory data from companies that are part of the photovoltaic (“PV”) industry in order to satisfy its reporting obligations to the U.S. Congress. While providing the data on an annual basis is mandatory, many PV companies are unaware of the requirement to submit Form EIA-63B, Annual Photovoltaic Cell/Module Shipments Report (“Report”) to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (“EIA”). The deadline for submission of the Report for 2011 is April 30, 2012.

Purpose of the Report

Pursuant to the authority granted to the U.S. Department of Energy (“DOE”) by the Federal Energy Information Act of 1974, as amended (“Act”), EIA, currently part of DOE, is charged with the responsibility of monitoring and reporting U.S. energy reserves and production. In carrying out its duties, EIA tracks photovoltaic cell and module shipments via submitted Reports and subsequently provides the U.S. Congress with a summary of information concerning the size and status of the photovoltaic industry.