• Solarthermal (water heating)
• Photovoltaics (power generation)
• Solarthermal power plant (power generation)

Cumulative capacity
	Solarthermal 2007	Photovoltaics 2008	Solar power plant 2008
Worldwide:	146,8 GWth	14,7 GW	1,3 GW
China:	80,7 GWth
Europe:	15,8 GWth	9 GW	0,2 GW
USA:	21,2 GWth	1,2 GW	0,45 GW
Japan:	5,2 GWth	2,1 GW
Others:	23,9 GWth	2,4 GW	0,65 GW

Photovoltaics – Production 2008 in megawatts (MW)

Worldwide:	5,750 MW
Asia:	3,850 MW
of which China:	1,880 MW
of which Japan:	920 MW
of which Taiwan:	667 MW
Europe:	1,472 MW
of which Germany:	1,064 MW
North America:	316 MW
Others:	112 MW

                                                                      
Photovoltaics – Sales 2007
Worldwide:                                        € 13 bn
 
Photovoltaics – Investment in R&D and production 2008
Worldwide:                           approx. € 2,7 bn                                                               
 
Photovoltaics – Employees worldwide 2007
                                              Solarthermal                                           Photovoltaics
                                                       200,000                                                    119,000
 
Growth markets for sales/production
Solar systems can produce hot/cold water and energy cost-effectively even in regions that are structurally weak. This makes the technology attractive above all for remote places in the emerging countries. There is also support from industrialized countries who are equipping public buildings (e.g. schools) with modern energy technology. In addition the energy needs in these countries will rise constantly due to advancing industrialization and a higher per-capita income. The intensity of solar radiation will have an effect on sales
 
China

• Largest producer of solar panels (32.7% world market share in 2008)
• Support for renewable energy through government economic stimulus programme
• Share of renewable energy in electricity generation is to rise to 10% by 2010
• Photovoltaic installations strongly underrepresented, but progress is good
• World-leader in terms of installed solar thermal capacity, at 79.9 GWth

Russia

• Increase planned in the proportion of renewable energy in the energy mix
• Specific measures still lacking in Russia
• Only interesting for photovoltaics and solarthermal, because of the geological conditions

India

• Investment in renewable energy still necessary to achieve the goals of the Kyoto Agreement
• The Indian government´s 'Solar Mission' is making available US$ 19 billion for the expansion of capacities by 2020
• Energy generation is regarded as a growth sector

Opportunities in established markets
 
America

• Ontario (Canada) has a similar scheme for subsidized feeding of electricity into the grid as Germany
• USA is encouraging expansion and research in the sector via its economic stimulus programme
• Pioneer in solarthermal power plants
• Excellent potential for the sector thanks to initiatives introduced by Obama
• California is a model for other states

 Western Europe

• Germany is the second-largest producer of solar panels (18.5% world market share in 2008)
• Enormous demand in Germany, due to subsidies for feeding electricity into the grid and high acceptance among the population
• Similar legislation is promoting sales in Spain, Italy, France and Greece
• European and national projects to promote renewable energy sources
• Spain is the location for solarthermal power stations

Japan

• Third-largest producer of solar panels (16% world market share in 2008)
• Government economic stimulus programme promotes renewable energy sources
• 'First-mover' advantage – good development opportunities for the photovoltaics industry
• Subsidized solar panel systems for private houses up to January 2010

Technology trends

• Reduction in manufacturing costs
• Shortening the production process
• Increasing the performance of solar panels
• Thin-film modules
• Solarthermal energy for cooling buildings and industrial applications
• Storage and transport capability of energy

Commercial trends
This sector is regarded as an engine for employment. As a result promoting renewable energy is a component in many economic programmes. The growth rates of recent years and the improved performance of solar modules promise good prospects for the sector in the future. In particular machine manufacture is benefiting from the high cost and innovations pressure of the solar industry. The building trades, too, are profiting, as they install the modules. Lower purchasing prices and lower operating costs for the systems are attracting investors. Parabolic solar collectors are suited for sun-rich regions near the Equator
  
Source: EPIA, VDMA, SHC; Greenpeace, PHOTON