6 Emerging Solar Application Developments

Last year, the largest global markets for solar energy were China and Japan, which together accounted for half of total demand. Another fifth of total global demand was taken up by:

• The United States
• United Kingdom
• Germany, and
• India

In the years between 2015 and 2019, it is anticipated that a market group of 15 additional nations will surpass the current statistical demand average of 1.5 GW (Giga Watts). The post-feed-in-tariff subsidy phase is now fully embraced globally.

Photovoltaic (PV) technology is now being vigorously integrated into the standard electric utility grids, thus minimizing previous boom to bust cycles that were evident as little as five years back.

Furthermore, in terms of the global solar/photovoltaic market the PV market has been a minefield as recently as five years back, with:

• Shrinking margins
• Fluctuating subsidies, and
• Trade conflicts

In the previous five year back period due to the extreme price pressure experienced by manufacturers, uncompetitive tier-2 and tier-3 manufacturers, and some tier-1 manufacturers either dissolved outright or were acquired. As overcapacity shrank, manufacturers saved up to $0.09/W (Watt) by increasing utilization rates from 55% to 90%. As prices remained mostly stable, manufacturers were able to return to profitable gross margins.