Major Apac PV markets to reach 26 percent of global demand by 2015

SAN FRANCISCO, USA: Asia Pacific photovoltaic markets are set to grow rapidly and are projected to account for approximately one-quarter of global demand by 2015, up from 11 percent in 2010, according to the latest Asia Pacific Major PV Markets report from Solarbuzz. The top five markets in this region—China, Japan, India, Australia, and South Korea—are projected to account for 3.3 GW of demand in 2011, with China and Japan leading the region.

Each major Asia Pacific country market is currently undergoing significant alternations to its policy structure. While China, India and Australia are building on-grid markets for the first time, Japan and South Korea face policy transitions that are re-stimulating their domestic demand over the next two years. Following the establishment of a manufacturing base that now accounts for approximately 50 percent of global production, China is stimulating its domestic demand through both national and provincial programs. This will cause China’s market to expand in 2011 by up to 174 percent over its 2010 level.

“Market growth expectations are high for the region, China and India in particular, as they each have multi-gigawatt project pipelines. However, the largest challenge facing many of these projects is the need to secure financing amidst a still evolving policy and regulatory environment,” said Craig Stevens, president of Solarbuzz. “If these policies are successful in delivering the projected growth for the Asia Pacific region, it will help offset the impact of incentive cuts across Europe.”

In terms of customer segments, growth will be led by utilities, forecast to become the largest customer segment as the markets move away from the current dominance of residential installations.

Fig. 1. Customer Segmentation in Major Asia Pacific MarketsSource: Solarbuzz, USA.

PV growth in Japan stimulated by new government initiatives
With the implementation of a nationwide net feed-in tariff, the Japanese solar PV market is expected to install at least 1.29 GW of new PV capacity in 2011. This represents growth of approximately 35 percent, a sharp contrast to established European markets which are displaying low growth or even contraction during 2011. Non-residential installations, while not representing the majority of total capacity, are growing at more than twice the rate of residential system installations.

Japan was the fourth largest PV market in the world in 2010, doubling for a second year in a row and installing 960 MW, thanks to re-launch of the nationwide residential incentive program and the net feed-in tariff. The Fukushima nuclear disaster has led to calls from domestic cell manufacturers to push for enhanced renewable energy policies. Meanwhile, the share of imported modules has grown more than 138 percent Y/Y, accounting for 13 percent of module shipments in Japan last year.

China PV market ready to break GW level
On-grid installations in China are projected to double in 2011 as Chinese incentive policies increase the pace of large and utility-scale PV installations. In 2010, 85 percent of demand in China was from projects larger than 1 MW and the latest temporary on-grid tariff announcement in Qinghai province will further boost shares of ground-mount utility projects in 2011. Programs such as the Golden Sun and Solar Rooftop programs maintain prominence going forward as developers continue to advance projects towards completion.

Provincial FIT policies in Jiangsu and Shandong also made significant contributions to overall demand. With improving policy environments at both central and local government levels, as well as a near 10 GW project pipeline, the PV market in China is ready to deliver strong growth through 2015.

Strong growth in India's on-grid market
The on-grid ground-mount segment is expected to lead the way in building India’s installed capacity, with installations expected to at least double in 2011. The National Solar Mission, as well as state level policies in Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra are leading to strong growth, with these three states accounting for as much as 70% of the total Indian market in 2011.

Armed with the goal of installing 22 GW of new solar capacity by 2022, the National Solar Mission has sanctioned 300 MW of on-grid PV capacity to be installed through 2011 and 2012, with an additional 300 MW to be allocated in 2H’11. Though the first round of projects has experienced setbacks due to high capital costs, low returns, and regulatory hurdles, a potential restructuring of project guidelines is likely to stimulate higher success rates of future projects. As of June 2011, the on-grid pipeline of projects targeted for completion by 2013 stood at 1.5 GW.

South Korea moves toward RPS
Although projected to contract in 2011 due to the phase-out of the country’s FIT program, longer-term growth potential in South Korea remains stable as new Renewable Portfolio Standards are implemented.

The new RPS is expected to install 1.2 GW of new PV capacity over the next five years, although at a much slower pace than in past years. Decreased incentives under the FIT and RPS significantly slowed large ground-mount installations in 2010, paving the way for strong growth in the building-mount segments. This trend is expected to continue over the next few years, as the Korean government seeks to incentivize small and building-mount applications.

Australia PV market grows despite erratic policy movements
The Australian government’s latest energy policy takes the form of a carbon tax, which will transition to a cap-and-trade system in 2015. The introduction of this policy comes on the heels of several dramatic policy changes, including an increase in the rate of decline for Australia’s main PV incentive program, Solar Credits, and the implosion of several state-based feed-in tariff programs. The 431 percent market growth in 2010 came despite an attempt by the government to reign in demand for PV installations.

The economics of PV systems have been enhanced by decreasing installed system costs, due to falling global module prices, an increasing number of accredited installers, and expectations of increasing retail electricity prices. New South Wales accounted for 44 percent of the national market, but now faces market disruption following cessation of the Solar Bonus Scheme in April. Fragmented and stop-start solar policies remain the largest stumbling block to long-term sustainable growth for the PV industry in Australia.