Global Solar PV Market Grew 40% during 2000-2010

Friday 13 January 2012, Amsterdam

The global solar PV market has witnessed tremendous growth over the past decade, with cumulative installed capacity growing from 1,459 Megawatt (MW) in 2000 to 40,758 MW in the year 2010. This represented a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 40% during this period. This increase in installed capacity mainly came from increased installation activity in countries such as Germany, Italy, Czech Republic, France, the US and Japan. The prime reason for the remarkable growth of the global solar PV market has been the supportive mechanisms offered by governments across the world. The market stimulation packages that several governments have offered are expected to drive the growth of the industry in the coming decade.


Global Solar PV Recycling Market Expected to Generate 1,098,282 Tons. of Waste by 2035

With the annual number of solar Photovoltaics (PV) installations rising, there is a growing need for processing PV waste in the coming years. The waste generated by end-of-life modules in 2025 is expected to be approximately 24,855 tons. This waste is expected to further increase to 1,161,173 tons by 2035. Crystalline modules will account for the majority of solar PV waste generated during this period, rising from 19,475 tons of waste generated in 2025, to 1,098,282 tons by 2035. Against this backdrop, PV recycling will become an emerging market during these 15 years.


PV Recycled Product Value per Watt is expected to reach $1.21 by 2035

For a watt of PV module treated in the recycling unit, $0.58 in recycled value is expected to be generated in 2025. With a 100% collection rate, 278 MW of end-of-life modules are expected to be recycled in 2025. Due to the rising trend of annual installations during the period from 2000 to 2010, it is expected that the end-of-life modules will increase to 17,000 MW by 2035, whilst the per watt recycled product value of these modules is expected to reach $1.21. . The major factors driving this trend are the rising annual installation trends during 2000-2010, the expected increase in recycling rates of module materials, as well as the market price variations of these materials.


Recycled Product Value of Crystalline Modules is expected to be $122m by 2025

The total recycled product value of crystalline modules is expected to increase from $122m in 2025 to $12,908m by 2035. In 2025, the recycled product values of glass and aluminium are expected to account for $105m and $11m of the $122m respectively. These recycled values are expected to reach $11,066m and $1,131m respectively by 2035. The two major factors driving the rise of the recycled product value of these materials will be the increased recycled mass of the glass and aluminium and the expected market price variations of the crystalline modules.