Why will Sales of Solar Encapsulation Materials Surge in Asia-Pacific in Future?

The surging use of photovoltaic (PV) modules, that convert solar energy into electrical energy via solar cells, is driving the demand for solar encapsulation materials. Moreover, with the rising popularity of solar energy, due to its eco-friendliness and economic viability, many countries are augmenting their PV module production capacities. This is, in turn, making solar material producers increase their production capacities. For example, as per the China Photovoltaic Industry Association (CPIA), the solar panel production capacity in China increased from 48 gigawatt (GW) in 2016 to 110 gigawatt (GW) by 2020.

Environmental degradation owing to power generation through non-renewable resources is impelling governments to implement policies on renewable energy resources. For instance, the government of India has initiated the Grid Connected Solar Rooftop Programme to achieve a cumulative rooftop solar (RTS) capacity of 40,000 megawatts (MW) by the end of 2022. Similarly, the Solar Energy Technologies Program of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) focuses on the low-cost production of photovoltaics (PVs) and other solar power products and increased solar deployment in the country.

Besides, the growing public awareness about the various benefits of solar cell technology is also driving the demand for solar encapsulation materials across the world. This technology helps utilities companies cater to the energy demands of both commercial and private establishments. In addition to this, with the rising public awareness about green construction, many people are focusing on sourcing energy from solar power, on account of its various benefits such as lower maintenance costs and the availability of state tax credits.

The other major factor fueling the demand for solar encapsulation materials is the rapid technological advancements being made in the solar cell technology for enhancing the durability and efficiency of solar cells. These advancements have resulted in the development of several third-generation PVs that have the potential to overcome the current performance and efficiency limits. Moreover, the rising requirement for energy and rapid technological innovations in the solar PV module industry have caused a massive decline in the costs of these materials.

As a result, many investors across the world are making huge investments in the development of solar PVs, which is consequently creating lucrative growth opportunities for the players operating in the solar encapsulant market. Due to these factors, the market revenue will surge from $1,036.0 million in 2017 to more than $4,555.4 million by 2023. Furthermore, the market is expected to progress at a CAGR of 28.4% from 2018 to 2023.

Ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polyvinyl butyral (PVB), and polyolefin elastomers are the most widely used solar encapsulation materials. Out of these, the demand for EVA was observed to be the highest in 2017. This was because of the fact that EVA was preferred over other solar encapsulation materials for use in PV cells, on account of its several beneficial traits such as elasticity, high adhesive strength, and the ability to provide protection from delamination and corrosion.

Across the world, the demand for solar encapsulation materials was found to be the highest in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region during the last few years, and this trend will continue in the coming years as well, as per the estimates of the market research company, P&S Intelligence. This is attributed to the surging solar module production capacities of major manufacturers in the region. As per the Energy Trend, the global PV installation production capacity stood at 70.3 GW in 2017. Out of this, China had a share of 31%.

Hence, it can be safely said that the demand for solar encapsulation materials will boom in the forthcoming years, primarily because of the growing demand for solar energy across the world.