Solar photovoltaic is emerging as a major power source due to its numerous environmental and economic benefits. Installations of PV cells and modules around the world have been growing since 1998 and recorded a tremendous growth in 2008. There has been a continuous development of PV in established markets (like Germany, the US and Japan), an exceptionally good growth in Spain and the emergence of new markets, such as France, the Czech Republic, Portugal and Belgium.

Due to the growing demand for renewable energy sources, the production of solar cells and photovoltaic arrays has advanced dramatically in recent years. Apart from the conventional wafer based silicon technologies, there has been an emergence of new technologies like CIGS (copper indium gallium selenide) and CPV (concentrated photovoltaic) which are more cost effective and deliver high efficiency rates. Factors like growing environmental concerns, encouragement of support schemes in form of feed-in–tariffs, increased usage of small scale applications and declining polysilicon prices will drive the solar PV market in future.

Although there are a number of companies engaged in the manufacturing of PV cells, Q-cells enjoys a clear leadership in the global PV market. The other major manufacturers include First Solar, Suntech Power, Sharp, JA Solar, Kyocera, Yingli Green Energy, Motech, Sun Power and Sanyo.

The current report gives an overview of the global solar PV market, discussing the various technologies, size of the market and geographic distribution. The important solar PV markets like the US, Europe and Asia have been analyzed. The key trends, drivers of the market and the challenges faced are also discussed in detail. The competitive aspect of the market is highlighted and the key players are profiled with their business strategies.

By combining SPSS Inc.’s data integration and analysis capabilities with our relevant findings, we have predicted the future growth of the industry. We employed various significant variables that have an impact on this industry and created regression models with SPSS Base to determine the future direction of the industry. Before deploying the regression model, the relationship between several independent or predictor variables and the dependent variable was analyzed using standard SPSS output, including charts, tables and tests.

1. Solar Photovoltaic Market

1.1 Overview

Solar PV Mechanism
Key Raw Materials
Solar PV Manufacturing Process

1.2 Solar PV Production Technologies

Different Types of Module Technologies
Advantages/Disadvantages of Various Technologies
Growth of Thin Film Capacity vs. Crystalline Technologies

1.3 End Markets of Solar PV

Photovoltaic End Markets and Their Market Shares

1.4 Global PV Market Size

Growth in Global Solar PV Demand
Price Impact on Demand and Supply
Growth in Global PV Market by Installations and Revenues

1.5 Geographical Segmentation of PV Market

Regional Market Share in PV Installations
Growth in PV Installations in Different Regional Markets

2. Major Markets

2.1 European Photovoltaic Market

PV Market Share of Key Countries
PV Market Growth and Forecast
Spain and German PV Market Growth
PV Manufacturers’ Market Share in Europe

2.2 The US Photovoltaic Market

PV Market Growth and Forecast
Government Initiatives Driving the PV Market
US States’ Market Share in Cumulative On-Grid Solar PV Market
PV Manufacturers Market Share in the US

2.3 Asian Photovoltaic Market

2.3.1 Japan PV Market

Japan PV Market Growth
Government Initiatives Driving the PV Market

2.3.2 China PV Market

Solar Cell Production and PV Capacity Growth in China
Government Initiatives Driving the PV Market

3. Industry Trends

3.1 CIGS Technology
3.2 CPV Market

4. Growth Drivers

4.1 Growing Environmental Concerns- Kyoto Protocol
4.2 Encouragement of Feed-In-Tariffs
4.3 Small Scale Applications
4.4 Declining Polysilicon Prices
4.5 Huge Potential in EU and Asian Markets

5. Challenges

5.1 Expensive Installation
5.2 Geographical Limitation

6. Competitive Landscape

Global Market Share of Key PV Market Players

7. Company Profiles

7.1 Q-Cells

Company Description
Business Strategies
Expansion through Acquisitions & Joint Ventures
Focus on Research and Development
Restructuring

7.2 First Solar

Company Description
Business Strategies
Cost Leadership
Changes in Business Model
Technology Leader

7.3 Suntech Power

Company Description
Business Strategies
Expansion by Acquiring Contracts
Investment in Downstream System Integrators

8. Global PV Market Outlook

8.1 PV Market Forecast

8.2 Forecast Methodology

8.2.1 Dependent and Independent Variables
8.2.2 Correlation Analysis
8.2.3 Regression Analysis

List of Figures

Lifecycle of a PV System (c-Si)
Photovoltaic Technology Segmentation (2008)
Production Capacity Outlook: Crystalline Technologies Vs Thin Film (2009E-2013E)
Global Photovoltaic End Market Shares (2008)
Global Solar Demand (2006-2012E)
Global Annual PV Market by Installation (2001-2008)
Global Revenues by Photovoltaic Installation (2008-2013)
Regional Distribution of Global PV Market (2008)
Regional Distribution of European PV Market (2008)
European Annual PV Market (2001-2013E)
PV Market in Spain (2001-2008)
PV Market in Germany (2001-2008)
Largest PV Manufacturers in Europe (2008)
The US Photovoltaic Market (2002-2013E)
Cumulative On-Grid Solar PV in US (Till 2008)
Market Shares of US Solar Cell Manufacturers by Production (2008)
Photovoltaic Market in Japan in Terms of Production Capacity (2008)
Annual Production Capacity of Chinese PV Market (2006-2013E)
CIGS Production Capacity (2007-2012E)
Emissions of Greenhouse Gases from Different Sources
BIPV End Users Market Share in Europe (2008)
Revenue Forecast of BIPV in Europe (2008)
Share of PV Technologies in BIPV (2008)
Polysilicon Spot Market Prices (2007-2012E)
Global Solar Polysilicon Supply/Demand Balance (2007-2012)
Annual PV Power Installed in India (2006-2013E)
Annual PV Power Installed in Italy (2006-2013E)
Market Shares of Global PV Cell Manufacturers by Production (2008)
Annual Revenues of Q-Cells (2004-2008)
Annual Revenue of First Solar (2004-2008)
Suntech Power Annual Revenue (2004-2008)
Global Solar PV Installation Forecast (2008A – 2011E)

List of Tables

Comparison of Module and Cell Efficiencies
Advantages/ Disadvantages of PV Cell Technologies
Global Annual PV Market Installation (2006-2013)
Comparison for the Two Types of Manufacturing Facilities (a-Si and CIGS)
Comparison of CPV and PV technologies
CO2 Savings under Solar Generation Scenarios
Electricity Generation Costs
Dependent & Independent Variables (2001– 2008)
Correlation Matrix
Model Summary – Coefficient of Determination
Regression Coefficients Output