Asia new global leader in new PV installations

With at least 37 GW of newly-added capacity globally, 2013 was another record-year for photovoltaic (PV) installations, with Asia taking the lead over Europe as the number one region for new PV installations.  This, according to preliminary figures gathered by the European Photovoltaic  Industry Association (EPIA).  Read More

 Record-year for photovoltaic markets in 2013, Asia taking over the leading role

With at least 37 GW of newly-added capacity globally, 2013 was another record-year for photovoltaic  (PV) installations. The internationalisation trend of PV markets already observed in 2012 accentuated in 2013, with Asia taking the lead over Europe as the n°1 region for new PV installations.

Brussels, 06 March 2014 – According to preliminary figures gathered by the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) and presented today during its 9^th Market Workshop in Brussels, the world added at least 37 GW of new PV capacity in 2013. The global PV cumulative installed capacity reached an impressive 136.7 GW at the end of last year, which represents a 35% increase compared to the year before.

These globally positive figures result from a much qualified situation at regional level, with Europe losing its leading role in the PV market in 2013. While it concentrated more than 70% of the world’s new PV installations in 2011 and still around 59% a year later, with more than 10 GW of new capacity installed in 2013, Europe only accounted for 28% of the world’s market.

Dynamic Asian markets, led by China and Japan (around 11.3 GW and 6.9 GW respectively), partially explain this trend reversal, as the Asia-Pacific region represented 57% of last year’s global market. Such trend is expected to continue, with China experiencing a robust and sustained growth which should enable the country to remain the number-one market in the coming years.

Conversely, the relative slowdown of European PV markets should not be underestimated. “In a number of  European countries, harsh support reduction, retrospective measures and unplanned changes to regulatory  frameworks that badly affect investors’ confidence and PV investments viability have led to a significant  market decrease”, said Gaëtan Masson, EPIA Head of Business Intelligence. This is particularly the case for Italy – third global market in 2012 – which experienced a 70% market decrease compared to the year before. Germany – formerly the top global market – also experienced in 2013 a steep PV market decrease (57% decrease compared to 2012), originating from intentional regulatory changes.

“Despite our preliminary 2013 results, solar photovoltaics remains on the way to becoming a major source of energy for Europe and the world.  Last year, PV was the second new source of electricity generation  installed in Europe. From 0.3% of Europe’s electricity needs in 2008, PV already covers as much as 3% only five years later”, added Winfried Hoffmann, EPIA President. “Only with coherent, dynamic, stable and predictable support policies can Europe regain a leading position in the energy revolution and further  develop PV markets. In view of that, a truly ambitious climate and energy policy framework for 2030, that  would include a meaningful and binding renewables target for each individual Member State, is absolutely  crucial”, he concluded.

Note: Figures included in this press release and the related annex are valid at the time of issue. EPIA will publish in June 2014 consolidated and detailed historical figures and forecasts in its “Global Market Outlook for Photovoltaics 2014-2018” report.

About EPIA

The European Photovoltaic Industry Association – represents members active along the whole solar  PV value chain: from silicon, cells and module production to systems development and PV electricity  generation as well as marketing and sales. EPIA’s mission is to give its global membership a distinct and effective voice in the European market, especially in the EU.

Source: www.epia.org