Flexible PV Cell Market Size, Share, Growth, and Industry Analysis, By Type (CIGS, a-Si, OPV, Others), By Application (BIPV, Transportation & Mobility, Defense & Aerospace, Consumer & Portable Power, Others), Regional Forecast To 2031

Updated On: 29 April 2024

Report Overview

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The global flexible PV cell market size was USD 24 million in 2022. As per our research, the market is expected to reach USD 39.4 million in 2031, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.0% during the forecast period.

The global COVID-19 pandemic has been unprecedented and staggering, with flexible PV cell market experiencing lower-than-anticipated demand across all regions compared to pre-pandemic levels. The sudden rise in CAGR is attributable to the market's growth and demand returning to pre-pandemic levels once the pandemic is over. 

Flexible photovoltaic (PV) cells, also known as flexible solar cells, are a type of solar cell designed to be lightweight and adaptable to various surfaces. Unlike traditional rigid solar panels, flexible PV cells are made from materials that can bend and conform to curved or irregular surfaces, making them ideal for a wide range of applications.

The flexible PV cell market has been growing steadily, driven by increasing demand for renewable energy solutions, government incentives, and environmental concerns. The ability to install solar panels in unconventional or non-traditional spaces has also boosted the market. Advances in materials and manufacturing processes have further improved the efficiency and durability of PV cells.

COVID-19 Impact: Pandemic Hampered Market Demand due to Disruptions in Supply Chains

The pandemic led to widespread disruptions in global supply chains due to lockdowns, travel restrictions, and factory closures. This had a negative impact on the production and distribution of flexible PV cells, which are often manufactured using components from multiple countries.  Lockdowns and economic uncertainty led to a decrease in demand for various products, including solar panels. Many residential and commercial solar installations were postponed or cancelled, affecting the demand for PV cells. The economic fallout of the pandemic led to fluctuations in the prices of raw materials, which in turn affected the cost of producing PV cells. In some cases, lower demand led to price decreases, making solar technology more affordable, while in others, supply chain disruptions led to increased costs. The uncertainty created by the pandemic affected investor sentiment in the renewable energy sector. However, some investors continued to view renewable energy as a long-term growth industry, which could have sustained investments in PV cell technology.

Latest Trends

"Increased Efficiency and Bifacial Technology to Fuel Market Growth"

Flexible PV cell manufacturers were investing in research and development to improve the efficiency of their products. This included advancements in materials, such as perovskite solar cells, which showed great potential for higher efficiency in flexible applications. Bifacial solar cells, which can capture light from both the front and rear sides, were gaining attention in the flexible PV market. This technology promised increased energy production and could be integrated into flexible modules. The flexible PV market was experiencing steady growth due to increased demand for portable and lightweight power sources. Applications included wearable technology, flexible electronics, and rollable solar panels for outdoor and off-grid use.  Companies were focusing on creating flexible solar panels that could be customized to fit various shapes and sizes. Aesthetics were becoming more important, with a growing interest in integrating solar technology into architectural elements and consumer products. Manufacturers were working to improve the durability and longevity of flexible PV cells, making them suitable for a wider range of applications and environments, including harsh weather conditions.

Segmentation

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• By Type Analysis

According to type, the market can be segmented into CIGS, a-Si, OPV, Others.

• By Application Analysis

Based on application, the market can be divided into BIPV, transportation & mobility, defense & aerospace, consumer & portable power, others.

Driving Factors

"Lightweight and Versatile Design to Boost Market Growth"

Flexible PV cells are lightweight and thin, making them suitable for various applications. They can be integrated into a wide range of surfaces, including clothing, building materials, and consumer electronics. PV cells are ideal for portable and off-grid power solutions. They can be used in solar chargers, portable power banks, and camping equipment, providing clean energy in remote locations. The integration of PV cells into building materials offers a sustainable and aesthetically pleasing way to generate electricity. BIPV systems can be installed on windows, roofs, and facades, reducing a building's energy consumption and environmental impact.

" Advancements in PV technology to Accelerate Market Demand"

Continuous innovations in PV technology have led to the development of more efficient and flexible solar cells. These innovations include thin-film solar cells, organic solar cells, and perovskite solar cells, which offer flexibility while maintaining good energy conversion efficiency. PV cells are ideal for off-grid and remote power generation applications, such as in remote locations, developing regions, and emergency response situations. They provide a reliable source of clean energy where traditional power sources are unavailable. As consumers become more aware of the benefits of solar energy and the versatility of flexible PV cells, the demand for these products has increased. Consumer preferences for eco-friendly and sustainable solutions have also played a role in flexible PV cell market growth.

Restraining Factor

"High Cost to Restrict Market Growth "

Flexible PV cells often involve more advanced and sometimes more expensive manufacturing processes compared to traditional rigid PV cells. This can make them less cost-effective, hindering their widespread adoption. PV cells typically have lower efficiency compared to rigid PV cells. While there have been improvements, this lower efficiency can limit their application in certain energy-critical contexts.

Regional Insights

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"North America Anticipated to Drive Market Expansion owing to Presence of Key Players "

North America holds leading position in flexible PV cell market share.  The region, particularly the U.S. has been a significant player in the market. It has a growing demand for clean energy solutions and has seen investments in research and development in the solar industry. Government incentives and tax credits have also contributed to the growth of the market.

Key Industry Players

"Adoption Innovative Strategies by Key Players Influencing Market Growth"

Prominent market players are making collaborative efforts by partnering with other companies to stay ahead of the competition. Many companies are also investing in new product launches to expand their product portfolio.

The top key players in the market are PowerFilm Inc, Panasonic, infinityPV, Flisom, Sun Harmonics, F-WAVE Company, Heliatek GmbH, HyET Solar, Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. The strategies to develop new technologies, capital investment in R&D, improve product quality, acquisitions, mergers, and compete for the market competition help them to perpetuate their position and value in the market. Besides, collaboration with other companies & extensive possession over market shares by the key players stimulates market demand.

List of Market Players Profiled

• PowerFilm, Inc. (U.S.)
• Panasonic (Japan)
• infinityPV (Denmark)
• Flisom (Switzerland)
• Sun Harmonics (China)
• F-WAVE Company (Japan)
• Heliatek GmbH (Germany)

Report Coverage

This report examines an understanding of the flexible PV cell market’s size, share, and growth rate, segmentation by type, application, key players, and previous and current market scenarios. The report also collects the market’s precise data and forecasts by market experts. Also, it describes the study of this industry’s financial performance, investments, growth, innovation marks, and new product launches by the top companies and offers deep insights into the current market structure, competitive analysis based on key players, key driving forces, and restraints that affect the demand for growth, opportunities, and risks.

Furthermore, the post-COVID-19 pandemic’s effects on international market restrictions and a deep understanding of how the industry will recover, and strategies are also stated in the report. The competitive landscape has also been examined in detail to provide clarification of the competitive landscape.

This report also discloses the research based on methodologies that define price trend analysis of target companies, collection of data, statistics, target competitors, import-export, information, and previous years’ records based on market sales. Moreover, all the significant factors which influence the market such as small or medium business industry, macro-economic indicators, value chain analysis, and demand-side dynamics, with all the major business players have been explained in detail. This analysis is subject to modification if the key players and feasible analysis of market dynamics change.