Solar photovoltaic (PV) demand from Europe is forecast to reach 10GW during 2014, down 7% on year, according to Solarbuzz. This will be the third consecutive year that solar PV demand in Europe has declined, after reaching a peak of 19.2GW in 2011. During this period, Europe's contribution to global PV demand has fallen rapidly from 70% in 2011 to just 22% in 2014.
Germany, Italy, and Greece had 71% of Europe's demand in 2012, but these countries are now just 37% of the Europe market. "The decline in PV demand from Europe in 2014 is due mainly to the effects of major funding reductions in Germany, Italy, Greece, and Romania" said Susanne von Aichberger, analyst at NPD Solarbuzz. "In fact, for Europe to reach 10GW of demand in 2014, the UK would need to meet expectations of doubling in size."
During first-quarter 2014, Europe PV demand was up 10% on quarter, but down 8% on year. "Historically, the first quarter has been a weak period in Europe, but planned reductions in the UK's incentive rates in April 2014 boosted final first-quarter figures," Aichberger said.
"2014 PV demand is expected to grow in France, the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, and Switzerland, and Turkey is forecast to become a significant PV market this year," noted von Aichberger. "Belgium, Denmark, Romania, and Ukraine are forecast to experience annual declines."
During 2014, Europe's most mature PV markets (Germany, Italy, and France) will transition away from feed-in-tariff (FIT) incentives, which were widely adopted within Europe to stimulate initial PV market adoption. The new driver for PV growth in Europe is coming directly from the energy markets in each country, where PV is now competing with other forms of traditional and renewable energies. This increased competition is creating new PV opportunities, but requires overcoming regulatory and funding challenges, the firm said.
"Within Europe's established PV countries, policy makers in Italy have taken the most radical steps to transition away from FITs. The Conto Energia funding scheme was discontinued in July 2013, with the final projects completed in May 2014," added von Aichberger. "In the future, demand will be driven by installations based on net-metering, power purchase agreements (PPAs), direct marketing, and tax benefits."
