Demand dynamics in the major PV markets

Leading experts from each of the world’s 8 major PV markets (Germany, Japan, USA, Spain, Italy, Greece, Korea, China) will analyse their domestic market developments and share their expectations for further market growth in the coming years. This symposium will provide crucial information on the demand side of the global PV market.



Rotterdam, The Netherlands



In Germany, voices are heard saying that the incentives for solar will be further decreased. Is this likely to happen and what could be the impact on the global demand if such measures are to be taken in the world’s largest PV market? The Spanish market is exploding in 2007 with a growth figure of around 400% compared to 2006. Is this just the start of a flourishing market or will the new Renewable Energy Law and the government cap of 371 MW be a brake on further market growth? And what about Greece, where more than 1,000 MW of permit application have been submitted in just the first half of 2007? Could this mean that Greece will surpass Spain in 2008 and become the third largest market in the world? Let’s not forget California, where Schwarzenegger provided 3.2 billion dollars for development of a sustainable PV market. But, what are the experiences so far? Is the development on track or are several hurdles preventing double-digit growth figures? For a long time Japan has been the world’s largest market. Since the government finished the national incentives program, market growth has slowed down to just a few percent year on year growth. What will happen now in the country that once set up an ambitious roadmap towards 2030? Will the global demand be pushed by other new markets like Italy and Korea, and will the various State-level programs in the USA result in massive new PV demand?



In the supply chain, existing and new manufacturers are working hard to solve the silicon shortage with new production capacity. New cell and module manufacturers appear every week, all with dazzling international ambitions. And in 2007 alone, more than 1 billion dollars was publicly collected by PV companies newly listed on the New York Stock Exchange . Can the major markets easily consume all this new production or will there be signs of an industry heading towards overcapacity? This interactive symposium is set up to provide answers to all of these crucial questions.



All speakers will be PV experts in their country. Among them will be presidents of the solar industry associations and senior national market consultants. One of the speakers is Travis Bradford, author of the book “The Solar Revolution”. He will start with an introduction on the supply side dynamics and the rapid growth of the solar industry, to put the demand-side presentation in perspective.



The fee for participation is € 695, including the interactive lunch discussion session, an informal drink, the contact data of all attendees and copies of all presentations.

More information can be found on the global PV market place www.solarplaza.com, providing (free) information and matchmaking services. SolarPlaza has previously organized 7 international PV trade missions to Spain, China, Italy, Greece and California.



More information contact: Johan Trip (CGO of SolarPlaza) j.trip@solarplaza.com