Global outlook for market share of solar PV panels by technology 2030

The market share of solar crystalline silicon (advanced c-Si) cells is expected to account for 25.6 percent of the global market by 2030. C-Si is the oldest photovoltaic technology and is largely dominant in the solar market. Amorphous silicon (a-Si) has a significantly higher temperature resistance than crystalline-based solar panels and have better resistance against shading compared to other thin film cells. Different solar cells also have different efficiencies. Due to low efficiency ratios, a-Si products are no longer produced.

Solar panel components

Each solar component, including the polysilicon, wafer, and cell, can vary in price. Costs for the type of PV installation – axis-based tracking or fixed tilt – also have different costs and advantages. Fixed tilt system which use the azimuth and tilt to determine orientation to the sun, were much more common than tracking systems in the United States due to lower costs. Azimuth is the compass direction that the panel faces, and the tilt is the angle from the ground. Tracking mechanisms allow the panel to follow the orientation of the sun. Recently, more tracking systems have been installed, as the increased revenue from additional electricity generated often exceeds the additional costs.