Photovoltaics in the European Union

Photovoltaics is the fastest-growing technology for electricity generation from renewables. This report describes how the EU PV market is facing a significant competition from China and other countries strongly supporting the sector. While the EU PV value chain is in a good position regarding polysilicon manufacturing, backsheets, contact materials, inverters and balance of system components, an accelerated development of new capacities for wafer, cell and solar glass production is required. The announced support schemes for solar PV manufacturing in Europe, attempting to boost EU’s domestic manufacturing capacities and rebuilt its competitiveness in the global PV value chain, are encouraging, but their realisation is not keeping up with global market growth.