Market Watch

While oil falls and Saudi stalls, detractors are questioning the future of solar in the Middle East and North Africa. But rising electricity prices coupled with rising demand mean solar power remains an important investment from Muscat to Marrakech, writes John Parnell.

Modules based on p-type multi c-Si technologies look set to dominate the PV industry over the next five years, continuing a trend that has developed over the past two years. This paper explores why high-efficiency p-type multi seems destined to remain the workhorse of the global PV industry.

Japan’s reputation as the PV star performer of the past two years has suffered a knock with the cancellation of 1.8GW of projects. With the country’s nuclear debate threatening to reopen and rumours of a solar backlash, Andy Colthorpe assesses the future for one of the world’s top PV markets.

Policy uncertainty and a damaging trade dispute have undermined India’s ability to realize its vast solar potential. But with a new prime minister now settling in, the worm could be about to turn for the country’s beleaguered solar industry, writes Raj Prabhu.

The Australian parliament is undertaking final deliberations on the fate of the renewable energy target, a key enabler in the country’s recent solar boom. Colin Marrs assesses where the country’s PV industry would be left by the watering down or scrapping of the RET.

A number of the US’ leading solar firms have been pioneers of the integrated PV energy provider model. Mark Osborne charts the evolution of the model and explains how it could be emulated as other firms look to capitalise on burgeoning end-market demand.

This year Solar Power International rolls into that haven for hedonism, Las Vegas. But as the chief executives of the two bodies behind the event tell Lucy Woods, behind the pazazz, some serious issues will be under the spotlight.

The US has steadily developed what is now among the world’s leading solar markets. John Parnell explores how its conservative approach has allowed it to build a solid industry that will now prepare it for challenges that lie ahead.

R&D expenditure by major PV module manufacturers has not been immune to the PV industry’s period of profitless prosperity. However, spending in 2012 was not affected to the extent that many would have expected, with a number of companies increasing their R&D activities and boosting staffing levels to meet R&D roadmap requirements. This paper discusses the current trends in R&D spending and staffing levels, highlighting both leaders and laggards.

This is the second and concluding part of a study on the solar photovoltaic market. In the first part, photovoltaic energy was contrasted with other energy sources used to generate electricity, and cost points necessary to produce a sustainable photovoltaic market were identified. In this second part, learning rates required to attain those cost points are provided. The paper concludes by examining a scenario in which 15% of the world’s electricity in 2035 is generated using photovoltaic energy, and frames the challenge from both global investment and profitability perspectives.