Electrical power production from solar photovoltaic (PV) systems is experiencing explosive growth that should continue for many years into the future. However, as with any exciting and high-growth market, there is much speculation about the impact and size of this market over time.

New Venture Research (NVR) in the 2nd Edition of its report, The Worldwide Solar Panel Assembly Market, uses data from a wide variety of sources to present the most realistic picture available regarding this market.

The analysis and forecasts are provided in a variety of measures. Application and regional markets are defined in megawatts. Technology markets are defined in megawatts, modules (i.e. panels), cost per module, and cost of goods sold (COGS).

COGS—the total manufacturing cost to produce PV cells and finished modules—is forecast instead of revenue for two reasons. First, COGS is the key measurement for manufacturers, materials suppliers, and equipment makers who wish to participate in this market. Second, manufacturing cost is much more predictable than revenue. In a capital intensive industry such as PV cell manufacturing, revenue often swings wildly as supply and demand move in and out of balance.

This report also forecasts the move by PV cell and module manufacturers to outsource production to electronics manufacturing services (EMS) providers. The outsourcing forecast is defined in megawatts, modules, cost per module, and COGS.

This report is organized into six chapters. Chapter 1, “Introduction,” outlines the scope, organization, and methodology for the report.

Chapter 2, “Executive Summary,” presents top-level data from throughout the report.

Chapter 3, “Technical Trends,” examines the basis for PV electronics, reviews the fundamental materials science behind basic PV cells, and looks at some of the emerging PV technologies. This chapter also contains a brief compendium of recent news articles about the industry.

Chapter 4, “Market Analysis, 2008,” defines the leading technologies, applications, and regions for PV electronics. The chapter quantifies—insofar as is possible—the current market in terms of megawatts shipped, modules shipped, average cost per module, and cost of goods sold.

Chapter 5, “Market Forecast, 2009–2023” examines how the market for PV electronics is expected to grow by leading application area. As in Chapter 4, this chapter defines the leading technologies, applications, and regions. This chapter also forecasts how the EMS industry is expected to play an expanding role in the PV market.

Chapter 6, “Company Profiles,” reviews the products and strategies of the leading industry PV manufacturers. Profiles are also provided for some promising startup companies, as well as a number of material and production equipment providers.

The Worldwide Solar Panel Assembly Market, 2nd Edition will provide you with an effective and economical tool for assessing the future of this market. Please take a few moments to review the report's outline on the following pages.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter 1: Introduction

Objectives

Organization

Assumptions

Methodology

Chapter 2: Executive Summary

Chapter 3: Technical Trends

PV Cell Materials

Crystalline Silicon Solar Cells

Thin Film Solar Cells

Other Solar Cells

PV Manufacturing Technology

Silicon Crystal Growing or Casting Plants

PV Cell Plants

Module Assembly Plants

System Assembly

Recent PV Technology Developments

Chapter 4: Market Analysis, 2007

Overview

Technology Markets

Silicon

Thin Films

Other Technologies

Application Markets

Off-Grid Habitation

Off-Grid Commercial/Government

Grid-Residential

Grid-Commercial/Government

Grid-Utility

Regional Production

China

Germany

Japan

USA/Canada

Rest of Europe

Rest of Asia

Rest of Americas

Rest of World

OEM Market Share

Module Production

In-House vs. Outsourced Production

Chapter 5: Market Forecast, 2008–2022

Technology Markets

COGS

Cost per Watt

Application Markets

Regional Production

Module Production

Units

Watts per Module

Cost per Module

In-House vs. Outsourced Production

Market Summary

Chapter 6: Company Profiles

Applied Materials

Ascent Solar

AVANCIS

BP Solar

Canadian Solar

China Sunergy

Conergy AG

Energy Conversion

ENTECH Solar

ersol Solar Energy

ET Solar

Evergreen Solar

First Solar

Global Solar Energy

HelioVolt

Hoku Scientific

Innovalight

Isofoton

JA Solar

Kaneka Silicon PV

Konarka Tech

Kyocera Solar

LDK Solar

MEMC Electronic

MiaSolé

Mitsubishi Electric

Motech

Nanosolar

NingBo Solar

Odersun AG

OptiSolar, Inc.

Photovoltech

Photowatt Tech

Q-Cells AG

REC Solar

ReneSola

SANYO Electric

Schott Solar

Sharp Solar

Shell International

Renewables

Solar Semiconductor

Solarfun

SolarWorld

Solon

SoloPower

Sovello

SunPower Corp

Suntech Power

Tatung Corp

Trina Solar

XsunX

Yingli Green Energy

Partial List of Figures and Tables

Worldwide PV Market—Megawatts by Technology, 2003 & 2008

Worldwide PV Market—COGS by Technology, 2003 & 2008

Worldwide PV Market—Megawatts by Application, 2003 & 2008

Worldwide PV Market—COGS by Application, 2003 & 2008

Worldwide PV Production—Megawatts by Region, 2008

Worldwide PV Production—COGS by Region, 2008

Worldwide PV Market—COGS, Megawatts, and Modules Assembled by Company, 2008

Worldwide PV Module Market—Units, 2003 & 2008

Worldwide PV Module Market—CPM, 2003 & 2008

Worldwide PV Module Market—COGS, 2003 & 2008

Worldwide PV Module Market—In-House and Outsourced, 2003 & 2008

Worldwide PV Market—Megawatts by Technology, 2008–2013, 2018, 2023

Worldwide PV Market—COGS by Technology, 2008–2013, 2018, 2023

Worldwide PV Market—Cost per Watt by Technology, 2008–2013, 2018, 2023

Worldwide PV Market—Megawatts by Application, 2008–2013, 2018, 2023

Worldwide PV Production—Megawatts by Region, 2008–2013, 2018, 2023

Worldwide PV Market—Module Production, 2008–2013, 2018, 2023

Worldwide PV Market—Watts per Module, 2008–2013, 2018, 2023

Worldwide PV Market—Cost per Module, 2008–2013, 2018, 2023

Worldwide PV Market—In-House and Outsourced Megawatts, 2008–2013, 2018, 2023

Worldwide PV Market—In-House and Outsourced Modules, 2008–2013, 2018, 2023

Worldwide PV Market—In-House and Outsourced Cost per Module, 2008–2013, 2018, 2023

Worldwide PV Market—In-House and Outsourced COGS, 2008–2013, 2018, 2023

Worldwide PV Market—In-House Summary, 2008–2013, 2018, 2023

Worldwide PV Market—Outsourced Summary, 2008–2013, 2018, 2023

Worldwide PV Market—Total Market Summary, 2008–2013, 2018, 2023