The "Global and China Photovoltaic Glass Industry Report, 2017-2021" report has been published by Research and Markets in August 2017.

Photovoltaic glass (PV glass) finds application in solar cell modules, with its development depending on PV industry. Global new PV installed capacity reached 76.6GW in 2016, with a CAGR of 20.9% during 2011-2016; China witnessed new PV installed capacity of 34.5GW in 2016, a 45.0% share of the global total, with a CAGR of 76.7% during 2011-2016, far higher than the global average. China's new PV capacity will show an AAGR of above 25% during 2015-2020, providing a favorable development environment for PV glass, according to the planning of National Energy Administration of China.

China as the world's biggest PV glass manufacturer accounts for roughly 75% of global total capacity. Its PV glass output achieved 320 million m2 in 2016, up 12.8% year on year, with a CAGR of 15.3% during 2011-2016, and is expected to keep an AAGR of around 10.0% during 2017-2021 powered by PV industry.

PV glass industry has a stable market competition pattern because of high entry threshold. Main manufacturers in China include Xinyi Solar, Flat Glass Group, Ancai Hi-tech, Zhuzhou Kibing Group and CSG Holding. In 2017, China's PV glass CR5 seize a combined market share of 68%, of which Xinyi Solar perches at the top with a share of 1/3.

Price of PV glass fluctuated in 2016 under the impact of downstream demand: firstly rose propelled by strong market demand in the first half of 2016, then dropped due to sluggish demand in the second half. The price is expected to continue fall during 2017-2018 as a result of weak demand and overcapacity. 

By main products, production technology of ultra-clear patterned glass remains mature in China, with output occupying over 90% of the total PV glass. TCO glass and PV anti-reflective glass production technologies are held by foreign companies, and only a few Chinese players can produce such glass in large scale. 

Besides solar power plants and energy-saving buildings, PV glass will also be widely applied in agriculture in the future such as intelligent PV greenhouses, which will improve agricultural output value and quality of agricultural products, in harmony with energy saving, greenness and cycle development goals.

Want to know more about the China market?

As the first sourcing event for window, door and facade products in China, Windoor Expo taking place in Guangzhou, China from March 11 to March 13, 2018 will reveal the new products and solutions on building glass.

The 2018 glass exhibitors include, GOLDEN GLASS FIRE RESISTANT PRECISION STEEL SYSTEM CO LTD, HENGBAO FIRE RESISTANT GLASS FACTORY CO LTD/HONGKONG FIREPROS BUILDING MATERIALS LIMITED, SOUTH BRIGHT GLASS TECHNOLOGIES CO LTD, SUNGLAS TECHNICS CO LTD, XIN XIN YE GLASS CO LTD, XINYI GLASS ENGINEERING CO LTD, ZHONGBOLIANHE ENGERGY SAVING JOINT-STOCK CO LTD, ZNG GLASS CO LTD and many more.

Visit www.windoorexpo.com and pre-register as visitor to stay updated on news of the window door facade industries.