An Examination Of The French Photovoltaic Market

SOLAR DAILY

With its promotion scheme especially favoring BIPV applications, the French state paved the way for its strategy to establish photovoltaics as a natural component of every building. This entails specific requirements regarding the products that are suitable for the market.

by Staff Writers
Dublin, Ireland (SPX) Apr 28, 2008
Despite being among the top ten worldwide photovoltaic markets with a current annual market growth of more than 100 percent, little information has been available on the French photovoltaic market in the past. As a result, insecurity was tangible among existing and potential market participants concerning their market coverage strategy. This particularly applies in view of the special niche conception for photovoltaics, which was chosen by the French Government.

With a special bonus for building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) applications and a tax credit scheme favoring small-sized private systems, only certain product types sell well in the French metropolitan market. Likewise, uncertainty prevails on the potential and structure of the market in the overseas departments, also counting as a part of the French state.

The report by EuPD Research, which is edited in collaboration with the solar association ENERPLAN, is the first study to deliver extensive primary information on the French photovoltaic market. In May 2007, EuPD Research surveyed one third of all French companies that are active in the photovoltaic market. With it, EuPD Research collected previously unavailable primary information regarding the structure and potential of the market.

In extensive expert talks, the results were verified and completed, making an all-embracing picture of the PV market in France possible. This includes the following aspects:

Product Requirements
With its promotion scheme especially favoring BIPV applications, the French state paved the way for its strategy to establish photovoltaics as a natural component of every building. This entails specific requirements regarding the products that are suitable for the market.

The study provides information on the presently most frequently sold BIPV products. Moreover, it highlights the product developments and research activities by the French market participants in particular.

Prices and Price Development
The high price level constitutes one reason why international companies become active in the French PV market. The study denotes the current average system prices according to market participants. Furthermore, it displays their expectations concerning the future price development.

At the same time, the report evaluates the profitability of systems in view of these prices against the background of all promotion schemes that are available at federal and regional level.

Market Segments
The study also offers an overview of the currently sold system sizes. In particular, the potential of large-scale plants in the south of France as well as in the overseas territories is analyzed. In addition, the existing customer groups of French market players are presented.

Evaluation of Market Potential
The report contains a comprehensive analysis of the potential of photovoltaics in France, also in comparison to solar thermal. At the same time, the most important problems hindering the market growth are identified. In this regard, information concerning activities, for example by the solar association ENERPLAN, to resolve these hindrances is delivered. Last but not least, a market forecast concerning the newly installed capacity up to 2010 is given.

Company Profiles
In cooperation with the solar association ENERPLAN, French PV companies were given the opportunity to present themselves in the report with the help of a company profile. These profiles deliver information concerning their business activities in the field of photovoltaics as well as important contact information to get in touch with them easily.

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