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PRESS RELEASE
Record-year for photovoltaic markets in 2013, Asia taking over the
leading role
With at least 37 GW of newly-added capacity globally, 2013 was another record-year for photovoltaic
(PV) installations. The internationalisation trend of PV markets already observed in 2012 accentuated in
2013, with Asia taking the lead over Europe as the n°1 region for new PV installations.
Brussels, 06 March 2014 – According to preliminary figures1 gathered by the European Photovoltaic
Industry Association (EPIA) and presented today during its 9th Market Workshop in Brussels, the world
added at least 37 GW of new PV capacity in 2013. The global PV cumulative installed capacity reached an
impressive 136.7 GW at the end of last year, which represents a 35% increase compared to the year before.
These globally positive figures result from a much qualified situation at regional level, with Europe losing its
leading role in the PV market in 2013. While it concentrated more than 70% of the world’s new PV
installations in 2011 and still around 59% a year later, with more than 10 GW of new capacity installed in
2013, Europe only accounted for 28% of the world’s market.
Dynamic Asian markets, led by China and Japan (around 11.3 GW and 6.9 GW respectively), partially explain
this trend reversal, as the Asia-Pacific region represented 57% of last year’s global market. Such trend is
expected to continue, with China experiencing a robust and sustained growth which should enable the
country to remain the number-one market in the coming years.
Conversely, the relative slowdown of European PV markets should not be underestimated. “In a number of
European countries, harsh support reduction, retrospective measures and unplanned changes to regulatory
frameworks that badly affect investors’ confidence and PV investments viability have led to a significant
market decrease”, said Gaëtan Masson, EPIA Head of Business Intelligence. This is particularly the case for
Italy - third global market in 2012 - which experienced a 70% market decrease compared to the year
before. Germany – formerly the top global market - also experienced in 2013 a steep PV market decrease
(57% decrease compared to 2012), originating from intentional regulatory changes.
“Despite qualified 2013 results, solar photovoltaics remains on the way to becoming a major source of
energy for Europe. Last year, PV was the second new source of electricity generation installed on the
continent, covering as much as 3% of Europe’s electricity needs”, added Winfried Hoffmann, EPIA President.
“Only with coherent, dynamic, stable and predictable support policies can Europe regain a leading position
in the energy revolution and further develop PV markets. In view of that, a truly ambitious climate and
energy policy framework for 2030, that would include a meaningful and binding target for renewables, is
absolutely crucial”, he concluded.
More information and figures can be found here.
1
Figures included in this press release and the related annex are valid at the time of issue. EPIA will publish in June 2014
consolidated and detailed historical figures and forecasts in its “Global Market Outlook for Photovoltaics 2014-2018” report.
European Photovoltaic Industry Association
Renewable Energy House  Rue d’Arlon 63-67  1040 Brussels  Belgium  www.epia.org
Note to editors
EPIA – the European Photovoltaic Industry Association – represents members active along the whole solar
PV value chain: from silicon, cells and module production to systems development and PV electricity
generation as well as marketing and sales. EPIA’s mission is to give its global membership a distinct and
effective voice in the European market, especially in the EU.
For more information:
Benjamin Fontaine
Senior Communications Advisor
Tel: +32 2 400 10 43
Email: [email protected]
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