First, the cost composition of photovoltaic modules
Photovoltaic modules are the downstream links between photovoltaic cells and photovoltaic systems in the photovoltaic industry chain. They are the smallest effective power generation units,which are mainly composed of nine core parts such as cells, interconnection strips, busbars, tempered glass, EVA, backplane, aluminum alloy, silicone, and junction box.
Cells account for a relatively high proportion of module manufacturing costs. In addition, production requires more auxiliary materials than other links, including glass, film, backplane, interconnection bars, bus bars, junction boxes, etc. From the perspective of cost structure, the proportion of cells in the overall cost of the module is 61.16%; secondly, the cost of glass, backplane, EVA film, and aluminum frame is relatively high, and the cost per watt is 7.1%, 5.2%, and 5.2%, respectively. 8.4%, 9%.
Among the encapsulation cost components of photosynthetic components, unsaturated cell components, among the remaining components, the cost component of aluminum frame is the highest, reaching 23%. Followed by the higher cost of EVA, glass, backplane, ribbon and junction box, accounting for 19%, 18%, 10%, 9% and 5% respectively.
Second, the development status of the photovoltaic module industry
Photovoltaic modules are an important part of photovoltaic power generation systems. In recent years, with the development of the photovoltaic industry, photovoltaic modules have also achieved rapid development. In 2020, China's photovoltaic module production reached 124.6GW, a year-on-year increase of 26.4% compared with the same period last year. In the future, with the continuous favorable photovoltaic policies and the continuous upgrading of photovoltaic module technology, the output of photovoltaic modules in my country will show a continuous growth trend, and its output is expected to exceed 150GW in 2022.
Third, photovoltaic module patent application
With the continuous investment of photovoltaic module companies and research units in the research and development of various photovoltaic module technologies, the overall number of photovoltaic module-related patent applications has shown a fluctuating upward trend. Data shows that in 2017, there were 4,066 patents related to photovoltaic modules in my country, and the number increased to 4,545 in 2020, indicating that China's photovoltaic module technology is iteratively upgraded. The latest data show that in 2021, there will be 2503 patents related to photovoltaic modules in China.
Fourth, the development prospects of the photovoltaic module industry
1. The high prosperity of the photovoltaic industry driving the development of the photovoltaic module industry
In recent years, with the continuous advancement of cost reduction and efficiency improvement in the photovoltaic industry, the economy of photovoltaic power generation has become increasingly prominent, and the scale of photovoltaic installed capacity in my country has shown a trend of rapid growth. The leaders of photovoltaic modules have announced a new round of expansion plans. In the future, with the successive launch of new capacity tenders, the demand for photovoltaic modules is expected to continue to grow, and at the same time, it will attract more investment and drive the development of the photovoltaic module industry.
2. Domestic photovoltaic module equipment has achieved import substitution, laying the foundation for the rapid development of the industry
Photovoltaic modules are an important part of photovoltaic power generation systems. The main equipment of photovoltaic modules includes laser scribing machines, string welding machine, automatic lamination equipment, laminator and automatic assembly line. With the continuous development of the photovoltaic industry and the core technology of photovoltaic modules, China's component equipment industry has gradually formed its own localization system, and has gradually replaced overseas equipment with imports. With the gradual maturity of China’s photovoltaic module equipment market environment, the competitiveness of domestic photovoltaic module equipment enterprises has improved, laying a good foundation for the rapid development of the industry.
3. The rapid penetration of new photovoltaic module technology has spawned multiple market segments
At present, the new components are blooming, large-size components, half-piece components, multi-main grid components, piece assemblies, tile components have emerged, with better performance and higher cost performance The market penetration of new components is increasing rapidly. It is expected that with the rapid penetration of new module technologies, multiple market segments will be spawned, and photovoltaic modules are expected to usher in a new round of iterative upgrades. With excellent product cost performance and rapid response to local supporting services, China's photovoltaic module enterprises are expected to benefit from the wave of expansion and upgrading, and will further optimize the competitive landscape of the photovoltaic module industry.
At present, new modules are in full bloom, and large-size modules, half-cell modules, multi-busbar modules, patch modules, and shingled modules have emerged one after another. With better performance and higher cost performance, the market penetration rate of new modules has increased rapidly. It is expected that with the rapid penetration of new module technologies, multiple market segments will be born, and photovoltaic modules are expected to usher in a new round of iterative upgrades. With excellent product cost performance and fast response from local supporting services, my country's photovoltaic module enterprises are expected to benefit from the wave of expansion and upgrading, and will also further optimize the competitive landscape of the photovoltaic module industry.
