Research & publications

Solar Annual 2008: Four Peaks
The 2008 edition of Solar Annual is a complex snapshot of a sector in transition. On one side of the picture, the sun is still brightly shining: Solar power companies appear likely to continue their relentless climb in volume (+68% CAGR), revenue (+60% CAGR) and profit (+61% CAGR) from 2007 to 2012. With a strong demand environment… more

Solar Annual 2006: The Gun has Gone Off
The solar power sector is sprinting ahead of our previous estimates. Production growth, price increases and cost reductions are stronger than expected. In 2005, the sector achieved 44% volume, 50% revenue and 149% profit growth. In the next five years, we expect rising residential grid prices, robust policy support and new… more

Detailing Demand: Where Will All the Volume Go?
Knowledge of local markets and access to customers will become an increasingly important differentiator for vertically integrated PV manufacturers. Changing patterns of demand growth across key markets will alter the relative attractiveness of these markets. This report provides market-by-market analysis for the ten most important… more

True Cost of Solar Power: 10 Cents/kWh by 2010
The decoupling of solar power prices from their underlying costs hides the low and rapidly falling cost structure of solar power. Today, the »true cost« of solar power is under 25¢ per kWh in most locations and is likely to reach 10¢ to 15¢ per kWh by 2010. This includes all costs of manufacturing and installing solar power systems from… more

PHOTON Consulting Silicon Price Index (PCSPI)
The PHOTON Consulting Silicon Price Index (PCSPI) is a non-tradable, U.S. Dollar denominated market index designed to benchmark global spot and contract prices for high-purity silicon, a critical feedstock for the solar energy industry… more