Upstream raw materials for solar container sector

How can solar PV supply chain diversification reduce supply chain risks?

Because diversification is one of the key strategies for reducing supply chain risks, the report assesses the opportunities and challenges of developing solar PV supply chains in terms of job creation, investment requirements, manufacturing costs, emissions and recycling.

Does the EU have a manufacturing capacity for solar photovoltaics (PV)?

The European Union (EU) faces a significant challenge to develop manufacturing capacity for solar photovoltaics (PV) and one key aspect concerns the supply of critical raw materials (CRMs) needed along the PV technology supply chain.

How can the solar PV industry support growing demand?

Annual investment levels need to double throughout the supply chain. Critical sectors such as polysilicon, ingots and wafers would attract the majority of investment to support growing demand. The solar PV industry could create 1 300 manufacturing jobs for each gigawatt of production capacity.

Should solar PV supply chain services be included in the IRENA report?

This IRENA report takes stock of the key quality infrastructure (technical) and ESG services that should be considered by solar PV stakeholders to bolster supply chain activities, as well as make them more inclusive. Download Annex data here.

Will the primary supply sector adapt to meet PV material demand?

In the medium term however, the primary supply sector will have to adapt to meet PV material demand. It should be stressed that material supply constraints in this paper are meant as techno-economical barriers resulting from high demand compared to production. They are not to be understood as geological scarcity.

Are solar PV supply chains cost-competitive?

Currently, the cost competitiveness of existing solar PV manufacturing is a key challenge to diversifying supply chains. China is the most cost-competitive location to manufacture all components of the solar PV supply chain. Costs in China are 10% lower than in India, 20% lower than in the United States, and 35% lower than in Europe.