Solar Panel Operation & Maintenance Market Forecasts to 2030 - Global Analysis By Service Type, Contract Type, Deployment Type, Component, Service Model, Technology, Application and By Geography

According to Stratistics MRC, the Global Solar Panel Operation & Maintenance Market is accounted for $5.92 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach $14.57 billion by 2030 growing at a CAGR of 12.2% during the forecast period. Solar panel operation & maintenance refers to the processes and practices ensuring optimal performance, efficiency, and longevity of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. It includes routine inspections, cleaning, and monitoring to prevent dirt or debris from reducing energy output. Maintenance involves checking electrical connections, inverters, and batteries, repairing faults, and replacing components when necessary. These activities enhance energy production, reduce operational costs, and ensure compliance with warranties, helping solar installations achieve their designed lifespan and energy yield goals.

According to a report from Solar Industry Association (SIA), as of 2023, China accounted for 83% of the world's solar-panel production.

Market Dynamics:

Driver:

Growing solar energy adoption

As more residential, commercial, and industrial sectors shift to solar energy, the demand for efficient and cost-effective O&M services rises. This trend drives investments in advanced monitoring tools, predictive maintenance technologies, and skilled workforce development. O&M ensures that solar systems operate at peak efficiency, extending their lifespan and maximizing energy generation. Consequently, the expanding solar market directly influences the need for comprehensive maintenance solutions, boosting O&M market growth.

Restraint:

Lack of standardization

The lack of standardization in solar panel O&M stems from varying regional regulations, diverse technological platforms, and inconsistent quality control across providers. The absence of universal guidelines makes it challenging to ensure consistent service quality, increase operational efficiency, and reduce costs. Without standardization, scaling O&M services becomes complex, limiting the growth potential and the ability to achieve widespread adoption of solar energy systems.

Opportunity:

Aging solar installations

Since solar systems mature, typically after 5 to 10 years of operation, their performance tends to decline due to wear and tear on components like inverters, wiring, and panels. This necessitates regular maintenance and system upgrades to ensure optimal efficiency and extend their lifespan. Additionally, older systems often require retrofitting with newer technologies, such as advanced monitoring or energy storage solutions. As the number of aging installations increases globally, the demand for specialized O&M services grows, propelling market expansion.

Threat:

Expensive setup for advanced monitoring tools

The setup of advanced monitoring tools for solar panel O&M can be expensive due to the high costs of specialized equipment, software, and infrastructure required for real-time performance tracking, data analytics, and predictive maintenance. These tools often require significant investment in sensors, communication systems, and cloud-based platforms for data storage and analysis. This high upfront cost hampers market growth, especially in regions with limited financial resources or where small-scale solar installations are common.

Covid-19 Impact

The covid-19 pandemic significantly impacted the solar panel operation & maintenance market. Travel restrictions and lockdowns disrupted routine maintenance schedules. Supply chain disruptions led to a scarcity of spare parts, increasing costs. However, the pandemic accelerated digitalization, with greater adoption of remote monitoring and predictive analytics to ensure system efficiency. Post-pandemic, the market rebounded as governments prioritized renewable energy projects for economic recovery, driving demand for reliable O&M services to sustain solar installations.

The thin film panels segment is expected to be the largest during the forecast period

The thin film panels segment is estimated to secure the largest market share throughout the forecast period. Thin film panels which use layers of semiconductor materials like cadmium telluride (CdTe) or amorphous silicon, offer a lightweight, flexible alternative to traditional crystalline silicon panels. Advances in monitoring systems and diagnostics help optimize energy output and extend the lifespan of thin-film panels, driving their adoption in commercial and residential installations.

The commercial segment is expected to have the highest CAGR during the forecast period

The commercial segment is anticipated to witness the highest CAGR during the forecast period driven by its optimal performance and longevity. Routine inspections, cleaning, and performance monitoring are essential to prevent efficiency losses from dirt, debris, or system malfunctions. Commercial entities benefit from tailored O&M solutions that minimize operational costs and maximize energy savings. As businesses increasingly rely on renewable energy, robust O&M strategies are vital for maintaining sustainable, cost-effective solar power systems.

Region with largest share:

Asia Pacific is expected to register the largest market share during the forecast period due to the rapid adoption of solar energy in countries like China, India, Japan, and Australia. Key players include Tata Power Solar Systems Ltd., Sungrow Power Supply Co., Ltd., and Trina Solar. Government incentives, renewable energy targets, and the region's abundant solar potential drive the market demand. The Asia-Pacific region is expected to experience robust growth, fuelled by expanding solar capacity and rising awareness of efficient system maintenance.

Region with highest CAGR:

North America is expected to witness the highest CAGR over the forecast period driven by the growing deployment of solar power systems in the United States and Canada. Major companies include First Solar Inc., SunPower Corporation, and NextEra Energy, Inc. Federal and state-level incentives, stringent renewable energy goals, and the presence of aging solar installations in the region expand the growth. The region is poised for significant growth, supported by increasing solar capacity and advancements in O&M technologies.

Key players in the market

Some of the key players profiled in the Solar Panel Operation & Maintenance Market include Siemens Energy, GE Renewable Energy, Tata Power Solar Systems, SunPower Corporation, Canadian Solar Inc., Trina Solar Limited, Sharp Corporation, ABB Limited, Schneider Electric, First Solar Inc., Engie SA, Vivint Solar, Adani Solar, NextEra Energy, Sungrow Power Supply Corporation, Enphase Energy and Toshiba Energy Systems.

Key Developments:

In February 2022, Siemens and Desert Technologies have launched a joint venture Capton Energy to develop and invest in solar and smart infrastructure in the Middle East, Africa and Asia. The venture aims to build up a portfolio of investments in projects with an aggregate capacity of more than 1 gigawatts (GW) that supports projects providing clean, reliable, and affordable energy in areas that need it most.

In May 2021, GE Renewable Energy and Toshiba Energy Systems have signed a strategic partnership agreement to localize critical phases of the manufacturing process of GE's Haliade-X offshore wind turbine and to support its commercialization in the country. Through this strategic alliance, Toshiba will actively participate in offshore wind projects by supplying reliable products and contribute to the spread of renewable energy in Japan.

Service Types Covered:

• Monitoring Services
• Maintenance Services
• Cleaning Services
• Repair & Replacement Services
• Performance Analysis Services
• Other Service Types

Contract Types Covered:

• Annual Maintenance Contracts (AMC)
• Long-Term Service Agreements
• One-Time Services
• Other Contract Types

Deployment Types Covered:

• Ground-Mounted Solar Systems
• Rooftop Solar Systems
• Floating Solar Systems
• Other Deployment Types

Components Covered:

• Solar Panels
• Inverters
• Mounting Systems
• Trackers
• Monitoring Equipment
• Other Components

Service Models Covered:

• Third-Party O&M Providers
• In-House O&M Teams
• Hybrid Models
• Other Service Models

Technologies Covered:

• Crystalline Silicon Panels
• Thin Film Panels
• Concentrated Solar Panels
• Other Technologies

Applications Covered:

• Residential
• Commercial
• Industrial
• Utility-Scale

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 2022, 2023, 2024, 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

Free Customization Offerings:

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