December 05, 2011
Solrico contributed to Sarasin solar industry report

At the end of November, the Swiss bank Sarasin published the 12th edition of their solar industry report, covering all three solar technologies: solar heating and cooling, photovoltaics, and concentrating solar power (CSP). solrico in cooperation with the Belgium Trenkner consulting contributed market and industry information worldwide to the chapter on solar heating and cooling.

“For 2011 we assume a global newly installed area of around 64 million m2 (44.8 GW_th), or an increase of around 10%. This growth continues to be driven mainly by China”, explains Sarasin's Dr. Matthias Fawer, project leader for the study at Bank Sarasin.”And for 2012, our global forecast is a newly installed capacity of 50 GW_th”.

However, the good global numbers cannot hide the fact that several key markets such as Germany, Australia and Spain are struggling. From 2009 to 2010, their markets have decreased by 29, 23 and 14%, respectively. In Germany and Australia, the industry suffered from stop and go policy of the incentive programmes. In Europe, much of this development is also caused by the financial crisis, whose effects are low renovation rates throughout the region and a sharp decline in building activities especially in many southern European countries. On the positive side, several of the BRICS countries are showing continued strength, with Brazil increasing its market by 21% and China by 17% in 2010.

Copies of the Bank Sarasin sustainability study "Solar industry: Survival of the fittest in a fiercely competitive marketplace" are available in English and German on payment of a copyright fee of CHF 150 or EUR 120 (free to clients and the media) from: gabriela.pace@sarasin.ch.