Mar 3 2011
MarketResearch has included the new report of GlobalData titled, ‘Renewable Energy Trade Imbalance - Will WTO Scanner Revive the Situation?’ in their compilation of solar power market reports.
In the development of solar module, solar cells account for 65-75% of the net cost. Hence any variations in the prices of solar cells will inflict a major impact on the overall cost of a module. The standard price of global PV modules was reduced to $2.01/ W in 2010 from $4.66/ W in 2004. In 2008, the average price of solar modules was increased to 2.8% since global demand surpassed supply.
In the last few years, the standard selling cost of solar modules continued its diminishing trend due to decrease in manufacturing costs and high competition. Between 2008 and 2010, the standard price of modules fell down by 5% due to the increase in cost-effective Asian developers and effect of the global economic downturn.
The arrival of new innovations and the optimization of manufacturing methods will further bring down the average module price and will also enhance the conversion performances of a solar cell. By 2015, the average solar module price is likely to attain $1.49/ W since competitors will minimize their prices to sustain or enhance their contribution in the international solar modules market.
Between 2006 and 2010, global BIPV installations have increased at a rapid pace at 121% of CAGR, driving installations to improve power generation from 29 MW in 2006 to 682 MW in 2010. GlobalData has predicted that global installations will continue to develop between 2010 and 2015. The major driving factor for development will be continuation of the sliding trend in prices and also sound support from the government. In 2015, global BIPV installations are expected to attain 2,525 MW from 682 MW in 2010 at 30% CAGR.
The conventional c-Si technology controls the entire global BIPV installations, constituting 80-85% of the market. The thin film sector is emerging due to the factors like cost- effectiveness and enhanced performance. GlobalData has predicted that the share of the thin film technology will be increased to 35% from around 25% in the previous year. Concurrently, the contribution of conventional c-Si technology will be lowered to 60% from the current levels of 75%. Other new innovations like Copper Indium Gallium Diselenide and Cadmium Telluride will constitute 5% of BIPV installations.