Of all the recent energy saving technologies in Europe, building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) technology is taking off and generating huge interest. This green technology fits perfectly with the European drive to generate energy efficiently, without hurting the environment.
In 2007 the BIPV market revenue was euro 142.6 million with a growth rate of 43.8 percent. Understanding this market's potential, tendencies and challenges is a priority to PV module, inverter and BoS component manufacturers, distributors, architects and designers, and integrators.
This briefing will provide analysis of country specific trends, main challenges facing the industry, drivers and restraints, competitive and technological trends. A particular challenge to consider is that of the polysilicon shortage.
Akhil Sivanandan says, "It is expected that most companies will not be able to cope with the sudden rise in demand for PV modules. This shortage means that the potential of the market is not being fully realised. After 2009 however, most companies should have secured their silicon supply."
Companies are ramping up their production and increasing their level on integration along the value chain in order to better reach consumers where the market is the most supportive and to meet the increasing demand.
Without a doubt, the past few years have been very good for the BIPV market with sky high growth rates and increasing government support for the technology across Europe, particularly in Germany, France and Italy. These markets are attracting the most interest among BIPV manufacturers at present due to their legislative support.
The high level of consumer acceptance of PV and the strong manufacturing and distribution base in Germany has set the standard for the rest of Europe, and Germany is the largest European BIPV market.
The French market is currently estimated to be the second largest market for BIPV in Europe. As the solar PV sectors focus will shift to BIPV in the near future, current French policies and support schemes will ensure that the French market will be quick on the uptake.
The new "Conto Energia" laws have revived the BIPV market in Italy, however the government must expedite the installment of supporting legislation to continue the market growth. Italy is the third market in Europe.
Frost and Sullivan's Akhil Sivanandan concludes, "With new and emerging markets like France and Italy providing increased support to BIPV, the market is poised to continue its explosive growth rate in the next few years. More countries are expected to follow suit as BIPV gains further acceptance among consumers in the coming years."
