Double-digit growth predicted for solar PV market in 2014

IHS has given these below top predictions for 2014 on solar PV market. 1. Double-Digit Growth Yet Again in 2014 as PV Installations Top 40 GW Despite multiple risks, IHS remains bullish about the development of the PV market in 2014 and firmly believes that global installations will be in the range of 40 to 45 gigawatts (GW), based on a bottom-up analysis of more than 100 countries. Against a backdrop of reduced support and incentives in major European markets, a still-fragile global economy and major trade disputes rocking the industry, the projected level for next year is a remarkable achievement for an industry that just four years ago installed less than half this amount. 2. PV Energy Storage Moves Beyond Hype in 2014 With the cost of solar energy plunging, demand for PV energy storage systems (PVESS) is booming, with installations set to quadruple in 2014. Worldwide installations of PVESS in 2014 will amount to 753 megawatts (MW), up from 192 MW in 2013. Strong growth will be generated by all three major segments of the market—i.e., residential, commercial and utility-scale PVESS. The largest growth will be in the commercial sector, driven by demand for intelligent electricity-consumption systems in buildings. 3. PV Module ASP Declines to Keep Margins Slim in 2014 Persisting manufacturing overcapacity for PV modules will result in a 10 percent decline in...