The effects of the Covid-19 pandemic were less noticeable in 2022 than in the previous year. However, there were still minor supply disruptions for electronic components. Demand was no longer disrupted. The analysis shows that the equipment components’ share of the total turnover slightly exceeds that of the complete machines sold. Most of the turnover comes from the segments: silicon-based solar cell manufacturing equipment and thin film technology machinery. Together they cover around 85 percent of the total turnover. The remainder comes from module manufacturing equipment an the least from ingot and wafering machines.
Export market shows new momentum
In 2022, Asia remained the most important export market for the European photovoltaic equipment industry. The total export share of the branch achieved 78 percent of which 57 percent goes to Asian customers.
Dr. Jutta Trube, Division Manager of VDMA Photovoltaic Equipment comments: "The Asian solar market continues to deliver the largest turnover for machine and equipment manufacturers, and India in particular is currently quite attractive. In 2022, the first tendencies showed that the American and European markets are becoming more attractive.”
Increase of market share in Europe and America
The creation of new projects in America increased the export share to the region that held 18 percent of the market in 2022. In Europe (including Germany), a total of 22 percent of the industry’s turnover was achieved. Compared to last year, this represents an increase of 7 percent in market share for each of the European and American markets.
Did you miss that? More solar factories and more production in Europe and Germany
Dr. Peter Fath, Managing Director of RCT Solutions GmbH and Chairman of the Board of VDMA Photovoltaic Equipment, comments: "It is very clear that the solar photovoltaic manufacturing is growing in regions with high production incentives. The United States with the inflation reduction act, has provided a clear framework of supporting local domestic manufacturing, from which the European solar equipment manufacturers benefit. On a European level, we also see an improvement that can be even further boosted by effective industrial policy measures. Afterall cost of manufacturing is a key factor for the decision- making in solar production line investments." (hcn)
