I. Current Status of the Global and Chinese PV Industry
1. Chinese PV Market (Global Leader)
-Installation Scale:
- In 2023, China added216 GWof new PV capacity, accounting for40%of the global total, with cumulative installations exceeding600 GW(National Energy Administration data).
- Projected new installations for 2024:220–250 GW, with N-type cell technologies (TOPCon/HJT) expected to exceed 60% market share.
-Supply Chain Advantages:
- China dominates80%+of global polysilicon, wafer, and module production, with costs30–50% lowerthan in Europe and the U.S.
- Leading companies (LONGi, JinkoSolar, Trina Solar) are accelerating overseas production to bypass trade barriers.
2. International PV Market (Divergent Growth)
-Europe:
- Driven by the energy crisis, Europe added62 GWof new PV capacity in 2023 (+35% YoY), but policies like the *Net-Zero Industry Act* threaten Chinese exports.
-U.S.:
- Under the IRA, 2024 installations are projected at50 GW, but UFLPA restrictions limit Chinese supply chains, benefiting domestic players like First Solar.
-Emerging Markets:
- Demand surges in the Middle East (*Saudi Vision 2030*) and Southeast Asia (Vietnam/Thailand), but fierce competition has driven module prices below$0.10/W.
3. Industry Challenges
-Overcapacity: Global module production exceeds800 GW, with utilization rates below 70%.
-Trade Barriers: U.S.Section 201 tariffs, EU anti-subsidy investigations.
-Technology Transition: TOPCon replacing PERC, perovskite pilot lines emerging.
2. Evolving Performance Requirements
- Bifacial Modules: Accounted for 45% of 2023 installations, driving demand for transparent/grid backsheets.
- Cost Pressure: Backsheets contribute 5–8% of module costs; fluorine-free solutions are trending (target: ¥6–8/m²).
- Reliability Upgrades: PID (Potential Induced Degradation) resistance is now a critical benchmark.
III. Future Trends in PV Backsheets
1. Material Innovations
- Polymer Composites:
- Lucky’s nano-coated PET backsheet improves UV resistance by 50% at 20% lower cost.
- DuPont’s polyolefin elastomer backsheet achieves 90% recyclability.
- Bio-Based Materials:
- Dow Chemical’s sugarcane-derived backsheet reduces carbon footprint by 60%.
2. Functional Integration
- Smart Backsheets: Embedded optical sensors for real-time temperature/deformation monitoring (Huawei patent).
- Lightweight Designs: Carbon fiber-reinforced backsheets (40% lighter for rooftop PV).
3. Application-Specific Solutions
- Offshore PV: Anti-salt spray corrosion backsheets (Jolywood certified by DNV).
- BIPV (Building-Integrated PV): Fire-resistant (Class A) and customizable colored backsheets.
4. Supply Chain Restructuring
- Regional Production: Europe/Southeast Asia expanding local backsheet capacity (e.g., Cybrid’s Thailand plant).
- Recycling Systems: EU mandates >85% PV module recyclability by 2025, driving modular backsheet designs.
IV. Opportunities and Strategic Recommendations for Lucky and Peers
1. Technology Leadership:
- Scale fluorine-free backsheets (benchmarking Toray) and adopt roll-to-coating for cost reduction.
2. Vertical Integration:
- Secure PET film supply via long-term agreements with wafer producers (e.g., LONGi).
3. Globalization 2.0:
- Establish plants in Turkey/Mexico to bypass U.S./EU trade barriers.
Data Sources:
- CPIA (China Photovoltaic Industry Association) 2024 Report
- Wood Mackenzie 2024 Q2 PV Supply Chain Analysis
- Lucky Advanced Materials 2023 Annual Report
