Solar Glass Market, Global Outlook and Forecast 2024-2030

Industry Overview

The "Global Solar Glass Market" was valued at US$ 3600.0 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach US$ 5223.39 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 6.4% during the forecast period.

Solar Glass for solar cells is generally used as an encapsulation sheet for solar modules to protect solar cells. After the solar cell is installed in the solar panel, the conversion efficiency will be reduced because the encapsulating glass absorbs and reflects sunlight. Therefore, in order to minimize the reflection and absorption of sunlight so that more sunlight can pass through the protective glass and hit the solar cell, the quality of the encapsulation glass is very important. Because of this unique feature, as the global use of solar energy continues to rise and the installation of solar modules and panels increases, there is an even greater demand for specialized, high-quality and high-transparency solar glass products.

An important part of the expanding renewable energy sector is the solar glass business, which is mostly being driven by the rising use of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. Solar panels require solar glass with excellent transmittance and durability to function more efficiently and last longer. Government subsidies, the global push for clean energy, and improvements in solar technologies are all contributing to the market's rapid expansion. Important actors concentrate on enhancing the qualities of glass, such as thermal insulation, anti-reflective coatings, and lightweight designs. However, problems include fluctuating raw material prices, supply chain interruptions, and environmental laws associated to glass manufacture. Significant growth is also being fuelled by rising demand from developing nations like China and India, while established markets in North America and Europe continue to stabilise as a result of ongoing.

Segmental Overview

Tempered Glass to hold the highest market share: By Type

In terms of type the global Solar glass market has been segmented as Tempered Glass, Annealed Glass, Patterned Glass, Anti-Reflective (AR) Coated Glass, Low Iron Glass, Coated Solar Glass

Tempered glass holds the highest market share in the global solar glass market due to its superior durability, strength, and safety features. Since tempered glass is perfect for outdoor applications and can survive harsh weather including hail, strong winds, and deep snow, it is frequently used in solar panels. Long-term dependability is ensured by its increased mechanical and thermal resistance, which lowers the chance of breakage and gradually raises solar module efficiency.

Furthermore, tempered glass is made to break into tiny, innocuous fragments when it is struck, which lowers the possibility of injury and is crucial for large solar arrays. Manufacturers and installers of solar glass choose it because of its safety characteristic. Its extensive use is further influenced by its affordability when compared to more specialised varieties like low-iron or anti-reflective (AR) coated glass. While advanced types like AR-coated glass are gaining traction for their ability to enhance light transmission and improve solar panel efficiency, tempered glass remains dominant due to its balance between performance and cost. Emerging markets, particularly in Asia-Pacific, are driving further demand for tempered glass as they ramp up solar infrastructure investments, ensuring its continued prominence in the solar glass market.

Photovoltaic (PV) glass to hold the highest market share: By Product

In terms of product, the market has been segmented as Photovoltaic (PV) Glass, Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) Glass, and Solar Thermal Glass.

In the global solar glass market, photovoltaic (PV) glass has the largest market share. The broad use of solar photovoltaic (PV) technology, which directly transforms sunlight into power, is the main factor contributing to this domination. Because of their efficiency, scalability, and falling costs, PV systems are the most widely used solar energy systems in the world, employed in both large-scale and domestic applications. The need for PV glass has increased due to the solar industry's rapid expansion, which has been fuelled by government subsidies, corporate sustainability programs, and breakthroughs in PV technology. PV glass is necessary to maximise sunlight transmission and protect the solar cells inside the modules in order to maximise energy generation. Solar rooftops, solar farms, and building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), where solar panels are installed, are among the many applications for it.

In contrast, Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) and Solar Thermal Glass occupy smaller shares of the market. These technologies, which convert solar energy into heat for electricity generation, are typically used in niche applications or specific geographic regions with high solar radiation, such as deserts. However, PV glass remains the dominant product due to its versatility and lower cost of implementation.

Regional Overview

Technological improvements, market demand for renewable energy, and regulatory incentives are driving major regional variances in the worldwide solar glass market. Due to its enormous solar infrastructure projects and government-driven efforts to cut carbon emissions, China dominates the industry in Asia-Pacific. India is becoming a significant market as well, driven by rising solar installation costs and aggressive solar energy targets.

Europe is closely behind, propelled by strict environmental laws and the EU's Green Deal, which encourages the use of renewable energy. Demand for solar glass is highest in the region in Germany, Spain, and Italy, with a concentration on photovoltaic (PV) systems in both utility-scale and residential projects.

Another significant market is North America, especially the United States, where state and federal incentives have increased the use of solar energy. Solar glass is becoming more and more in demand as more homes and businesses turn to renewable energy sources.

On the other hand, emerging markets include Latin America and the Middle East and Africa. Due to their high levels of solar radiation, these areas are investing more and more in solar energy projects to diversify their energy sources. These areas offer the solar glass industry tremendous growth prospects even if they are still in the developmental stage.

Competitive Analysis

• Xinyi Solar
• FLAT
• CNBM
• Almaden
• Anci Hi-Tech
• Irico Group
• CSG
• Huamei Solar Glass
• Interfloat
• Saint-Gobain
• Topray Solar
• Xinda
• Borosil Renewables
• Other Key players

The global solar glass market is extremely competitive, defined by the presence of several big, established companies and a growing number of smaller manufacturers. Major companies that control the market include Xinyi Solar Holdings, First Solar, Guardian Glass, and AGC Inc. These companies accomplish so by having large manufacturing capabilities, cutting-edge technology, and robust distribution networks. To increase the effectiveness of their solar glass products, these companies make significant investments in R&D. These developments include breakthroughs in low-iron glass, anti-reflective coatings, and lightweight designs.

New competitors—particularly those from China—are stepping up the competition by providing more affordable goods and taking advantage of subsidies and reduced manufacturing costs. With China leading the world in solar panel installations, companies such as China National Building Material Group (CNBM) have increased manufacturing to fulfil the growing demand worldwide.

Recent Development

2022, Borosil Renewable announced the acquisition of Interfloat Group. With this acquisition Borosil Renewables total installed solar glass manufacturing capacity in India and Europe to reach 750 tons per day. Moreover the acquisition is also likely to benefit customers by accelerating investments in new products and technology development.

September, 21, 2022, Almaden sign new and expanded corporation agreement with ixtaxa project Host Community Group. EJUNDS stated that, “As partners and ejidatarios of the Community of Santa María Zotoltepec, we wish to continue collaborating and engaging with the Company so that we can participate in programs that ensure local benefits such as employment, training, and economic diversification, and also so that we can monitor the development and operation of the Ixtaca project once it is permitted and in operation.” SMZ is located approximately 1.5 kilometres from the footprint of the Ixtaca project.

End Use Industry Analysis

The solar glass market is driven by demand from numerous end-use sectors, with the solar energy sector being the most prominent. Solar glass's high transmittance and durability improve the performance of solar panels in photovoltaic (PV) systems, which generate electricity. The demand for solar glass is rising as solar energy is being used more often in residential, commercial, and utility-scale projects. This is especially true in emerging countries like China, India, and the Middle East, where governments are placing a higher priority on the development of renewable energy sources.

Building-integrated photovoltaics, or BIPV, are also becoming more and more popular in the construction sector. A growing number of architectural applications, including solar facades, windows, and rooftops, are using solar glass since it can be utilised as both a building material and a source of energy. The adoption of BIPV is being driven by sustainability and energy efficiency, and this trend is especially strong in Europe.

Though this is still a small business, solar glass is gaining pace in the automobile industry in the development of solar-powered vehicles and integrated solar panels in car designs. In general, a wider range of end-use sectors are driving the need for solar glass, with sustainable construction solutions and energy generation at the forefront.

Industry Dynamics

Industry Trend

Growing demand for renewable energy and advancement in solar technology

Advances in solar technology and the growing demand for renewable energy are driving considerable expansion in the solar glass business. One of the most important trends is the rise in efficiency of solar panels, which necessitate the use of strong, long-lasting glass to maximise efficiency and lifetime. Additionally, the adoption of eco-friendly practices by manufacturers, such as the usage of recycled materials, is being prompted by the transition towards sustainable manufacturing techniques. The effectiveness and upkeep of solar panels are being enhanced by innovations like self-cleaning technology and anti-reflective coatings, which are increasingly gaining popularity. Additionally, the market for solar glass is anticipated to grow as governments throughout the world enact laws and incentives that encourage the use of solar energy, especially in areas like Asia-Pacific and North America where solar installations are increasing.  Overall, the solar glass industry is poised for robust growth, driven by technological advancements, sustainability initiatives, and increasing investments in renewable energy infrastructure

Industry Driver

Growing awareness towards reducing carbon emission to drive the industry

Several significant factors are driving the solar glass market, which is indicative of the growing significance of renewable energy. The global initiative to reduce carbon emissions and dependency on fossil fuels is a primary motivation. Solar energy is playing a more and bigger role in energy portfolios as nations strive to fulfil climate change targets; this is driving up demand for solar panels and, consequently, solar glass. Policies from the government, such as mandates for renewable energy, tax breaks, and subsidies, encourage this shift and increase the viability of solar energy projects.Another important factor is technological development, especially as it relates to increases in solar panel efficiency, which are dependent on high-performance solar glass.Solar systems can capture more energy because to innovations like bifacial solar panels, low-iron glass, and anti-reflective coatings. The range of applications for solar glass is also being expanded by the growing demand for transparent solar panels, which may be integrated into infrastructure and buildings.

Furthermore, manufacturers are prioritising eco-friendly production procedures, such as the use of recycled materials and energy-efficient manufacturing techniques, as a result of the increased worldwide attention on sustainability. Green solar glass solutions are therefore becoming more and more popular, following the general trend towards circular economies.

Industry Restraint

High Cost of Raw Materials as well as supply chain disruption to restrain the industry growth

Many factors could prevent the solar glass business from growing. The high cost of manufacturing and raw materials is one of the main obstacles. High-quality solar glass demands costly raw ingredients and energy-intensive production methods, especially low-iron glass utilised for increased efficiency. This may result in increased costs, which would reduce the appeal of solar installations, particularly in areas with little access to government grants or incentives. The industry may also be further restricted by supply chain disruptions brought on by trade restrictions or geopolitical tensions, which can affect the price and availability of necessary resources. Manufacturers may experience cost increases, unclear production schedules, and increased expenses as a result of these disruptions.

Another obstacle comes from technological limits. Although solar glass performance has increased due to advances like anti-reflective coatings, there is still opportunity for advancement in the technology, especially in terms of durability and cost-effectiveness. Manufacturers may find it expensive to consistently innovate, particularly smaller businesses with constrained resources for R&D.

Report Scope

The report includes Global & Regional market status and outlook for 2017-2028. Further, the report provides breakdown details about each region & countries covered in the report. Identifying its sales, sales volume & revenue forecast. With detailed analysis by Types, Product, Application, End Use Industry, Installation. The report also covers the key players of the industry including Company Profile, Product Specifications, Production Capacity/Sales, Revenue, Price, and Gross Margin 2017-2028 & Sales with a thorough analysis of the market’s competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors and comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of major market vendors.