Weekly Solar Industry Insights: March 10th – March 16th , 2025
France Raises Collective Self-Consumption Threshold to 5 MW
The French government has increased the maximum power threshold for collective self-consumption from 3 MW to 5 MW in mainland France. This change, published in the Official Journal on March 5, 2025, aims to relax geographical proximity requirements and promote larger solar-sharing projects.
Mixed Trends in Global Solar Module Prices for Q2 2025
Global solar module prices showed mixed trends in Q2 2025, shaped by regional market conditions. In China, the Chinese Module Marker (CMM) for TOPCon 600 W modules increased by 1.16% to $0.087/W, while Mono PERC prices remained stable. In Europe, TOPCon module prices rose 1%, with Tier 1 panels reaching €0.100/W. Meanwhile, U.S. spot prices for TOPCon 600 W modules fell by 0.38% to $0.263/W, but Mono PERC 450 W modules saw a slight rise. These fluctuations were driven by shifting demand and new policies in China, as well as varied pricing strategies in the U.S. and Europe.
U.S. Residential Solar Market Faces Decline but Poised for Recovery
In 2024, the U.S. residential solar market experienced a 31% decline in installations, the first drop since 2017. Around 4.7 GW of capacity was added, with challenges including high interest rates, net metering cuts, and financial issues with installers like SunPower. California saw a sharp 45% decline, though states like Illinois recorded temporary growth. Looking ahead, analysts forecast a modest recovery with 9% growth in 2025, expecting long-term gains driven by inflation, product innovation, and third-party ownership models.
India Rules Out Imported Silicon Wafers for Domestic PV
India's Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has ruled that solar cells made from imported diffused silicon wafers, known as "blue wafers," will not qualify for domestic content requirements under government programs. Only solar cells manufactured using undiffused silicon wafers (black wafers) in India are eligible. Thin-film PV modules made in Indian factories also qualify. This decision affects initiatives such as the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana and PM KUSUM, reinforcing the push for locally manufactured solar cells.
Global Solar Installations to Reach 700 GW in 2025
Global solar installations to hit 698 GW in 2025, up from 599 GW in 2024 and 444 GW in 2023. China is expected to remain the largest PV market, followed by the U.S., India, and Germany. However, mature markets face challenges like grid capacity limits and falling power prices, which could affect growth. The report forecasts installations to continue rising, reaching 753 GW in 2026 and 780 GW in 2027.
U.S. Solar Panel Resale Market Thrives
2024 report highlights a robust U.S. secondary solar panel market, driven by surplus stock from cancelled projects and asset liquidations. Of the 1.7 million modules available for resale in 2024, 95% were new, with newer PV modules retaining significant value. Price fluctuations depend on stock liquidation urgency and demand surges, with the resale market playing a key role in reducing waste and optimizing asset recovery.
Africa to Double Solar Capacity by 2028
Africa is expected to add 23 GW of new solar capacity by 2028, more than doubling its current installations, according to the Global Solar Council. West African nations like Ghana and Nigeria led growth in 2024. However, attracting investment through affordable financing and policy frameworks will be crucial to meeting this forecast.
Canada Surpasses 5 GW in Cumulative Solar Capacity
Canada installed 314 MW of solar capacity in 2024, pushing its total capacity beyond 5 GW. Alberta remains the leader in solar projects, with behind-the-meter systems also gaining traction. Key growth drivers include falling technology costs and clean tech tax credits. Challenges remain, including grid integration and evolving market rules, which will shape future growth.
Information Source: PV Magazine
