Solar Encapsulation Market Forecasts to 2030 - Global Analysis By Material (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate, Polyvinyl Butyral, Polydimethylsiloxane and Other Materials), Technology, Application, End User and By Geography

According to Stratistics MRC, the Global Solar Encapsulation Market is accounted for $3.47 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach $6.86 billion by 2030 growing at a CAGR of 10.2% during the forecast period. Solar encapsulation involves enclosing photovoltaic cells within protective materials to shield them from environmental factors. This process enhances the durability and performance of solar panels by safeguarding against moisture, dust, UV radiation, and mechanical damage. Encapsulation materials, such as ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) or polyvinyl butyral (PVB), contribute to prolonging the lifespan and optimizing the electrical properties of solar modules.

According to UN report between 2005 and 2030, energy needs are projected to expand by 55 per cent, with demand increasing from 11.4 billion tons of oil equivalent to 17.7 billion.

Market Dynamics:

Driver:

Increasing demand for renewable energy

The increasing demand for renewable energy sources, such as solar power, is a significant driver in the solar encapsulation market. As the world focuses more on sustainability and reducing carbon emissions, there is a growing need for efficient solar energy solutions. Solar encapsulation materials play a crucial role in protecting solar panels from environmental factors and ensuring their durability and performance. This demand surge is fueled by both the residential and commercial sectors seeking reliable, long-term renewable energy solutions.

Restraint:

Recycling complexity of solar encapsulations

The recycling complexity of solar encapsulations poses a significant restraint in the solar encapsulation market. While solar panels are recognized for their sustainability, the intricate nature of their encapsulation materials complicates the recycling process. These materials often consist of multiple layers and compositions, making it challenging to efficiently separate and recycle them. Consequently, this complexity increases recycling costs and reduces the overall viability of recycling initiatives, hindering the market's growth.

Opportunity:

Technological advancements in solar cell efficiency

Enhanced efficiency means greater electricity generation from solar panels, driving demand for encapsulation materials to protect and maintain the performance of these cells. As solar technology becomes more efficient, there's a growing need for innovative encapsulation solutions to ensure durability, longevity, and optimal performance of solar panels. This trend opens up avenues for companies in the solar encapsulation sector to capitalize on the increasing demand for high-performance materials.

Threat:

Fluctuations in raw material prices

Fluctuations in raw material prices pose a significant threat to the solar encapsulation market. As raw materials like ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and glass are essential components, price volatility can disrupt manufacturing costs and profit margins. This instability can lead to uncertainty in pricing for solar panel manufacturers, impacting their competitiveness and profitability. Additionally, sudden price hikes may deter potential investors and slow down industry growth.

Covid-19 Impact:

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the solar encapsulation market by disrupting supply chains, delaying project timelines, and reducing demand due to economic uncertainty. Lockdowns and restrictions hindered manufacturing and installation activities, leading to project delays. However, the growing focus on renewable energy and recovery efforts has spurred resilience, with the market expected to rebound as the global economy recovers.

The ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) segment is expected to be the largest during the forecast period

The ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) segment is anticipated to dominate the solar encapsulation market during the forecast period due to its widespread usage in photovoltaic module manufacturing. EVA serves as a crucial encapsulant, providing insulation, adhesion, and durability to solar panels. Its properties, including excellent light transmittance and adhesion to both glass and solar cells make it a preferred choice for module encapsulation. Additionally, advancements in EVA formulations to enhance durability and efficiency further contribute to its prominence in the market.

The thin-film solar technology segment is expected to have the highest CAGR during the forecast period

The thin-film solar technology segment is anticipated to exhibit a significant growth rate during the forecast period in the solar encapsulation market. This is attributed to factors such as its lightweight design, flexibility, and lower material costs compared to traditional crystalline silicon modules. Additionally, advancements in thin-film technology have enhanced efficiency and durability, driving its adoption in various applications such as building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), consumer electronics, and portable power solutions, fueling its market growth.

Region with largest share:

During the forecast period, Asia Pacific is set to dominate the solar encapsulation market due to several factors. The region's rapid industrialization, urbanization, and increasing focus on renewable energy drive substantial demand for solar panels. Additionally, supportive government policies, incentives, and investments in solar energy infrastructure further boost market growth. Moreover, the presence of key market players, technological advancements, and a large consumer base contribute to Asia Pacific's strong position as a leading market for solar encapsulation products.

Region with highest CAGR:

During the forecast period, the Middle East and Africa are poised for rapid expansion in the solar encapsulation market due to various factors. These include increasing government initiatives to promote renewable energy adoption, abundant solar resources, and a growing demand for electricity. Additionally, advancements in technology and favorable regulatory policies are driving investments in solar projects across the region. With rising awareness of the benefits of solar energy and efforts to diversify energy sources, the Middle East and Africa are expected to witness significant growth in the solar encapsulation market.

Key players in the market

Some of the key players in Solar Encapsulation Market include 3M Company, Arkema SA, Dow Inc, DuPont de Nemours, Inc., First Solar, Guangdong Super Solar Energy Technology Co., Ltd., Hangzhou Dongke New Energy Technology Co., Ltd., Hanwha Group, Jiangsu Akcome Science and Technology Co., Ltd, JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd., Jolywood (Suzhou), Q-Cells, STR Holdings, Inc., STR Solar and Zhejiang Zhengxin Photovoltaic Technology Co., Ltd.

Key Developments:

In July 2023, First Solar, a major producer of thin-film solar panels, announced its plans to invest USD 1.1 billion in building its fifth manufacturing facility in the United States. This facility was to have a planned annual production capacity of 3.5 GW. It was intended to contribute to First Solar's total production capacity of 14 GW in the United States and 25 GW worldwide.

In March 2023, U.S.-based chemical conglomerate Dow has launched a photovoltaic (PV) product line with six silicone-based sealants and adhesives solutions for PV module assembly. The new product line, DOWSIL, would be used to deliver durability and performance for frame sealing, rail and junction box bonding, potting, and building integrated photovoltaic installation materials.

In March 2023, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp announced that EVA and backsheet maker Hanwha Advanced Materials Georgia intends to invest $147 million in a new manufacturing factory in Cartersville, Georgia. The facility will create more than 160 new jobs and supply encapsulant materials to Qcells solar panels made within the state.

Materials Covered:

• Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA)
• Polyvinyl Butyral (PVB)
• Polydimethylsiloxane
• UV Curable Resin
• Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU)
• Polyolefin (PO)
• Ionomers
• Silicones
• Other Materials

Technologies Covered:

• Single-Crystal/Polycrystalline Silicon Solar Technology
• Thin-film Solar Technology

Applications Covered:

• Utility-scale Solar Power Plants
• Building-integrated photovoltaic
• Floating photovoltaic
• Other Applications

End Users Covered:

• Residential
• Commercial
• Industrial
• Utilities

Regions Covered:

• North America
  • US
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • Italy
  • France
  • Spain
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • Japan
  • China
  • India
  • Australia
  • New Zealand
  • South Korea
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• South America
  • Argentina
  • Brazil
  • Chile
  • Rest of South America
• Middle East & Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • UAE
  • Qatar
  • South Africa
  • Rest of Middle East & Africa

What our report offers:

• Market share assessments for the regional and country-level segments
• Strategic recommendations for the new entrants
• Covers Market data for the years 2021, 2022, 2023, 2026, and 2030
• Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)
• Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations
• Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends
• Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments
• Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancements

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All the customers of this report will be entitled to receive one of the following free customization options:

• Company Profiling
  • Comprehensive profiling of additional market players (up to 3)
  • SWOT Analysis of key players (up to 3)
• Regional Segmentation
  • Market estimations, Forecasts and CAGR of any prominent country as per the client's interest (Note: Depends on feasibility check)
• Competitive Benchmarking
  • Benchmarking of key players based on product portfolio, geographical presence, and strategic alliances