MLTA’s Recent Report Highlights Transformative Shifts in EVA and POE Materials for Solar Modules
MLT Analytics (MLTA) has released a comprehensive report titled “Global EVA/POE Solar Module Encapsulant Sheet Market—2024,” revealing significant advancements in solar cell technologies. The report underscores the coexistence of ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) and polyolefin elastomer (POE) as preferred materials for solar module encapsulation.
Market Overview
MLTA’s report estimates the global solar encapsulant sheet market to have surpassed 1.7 million tonnes in 2023, with approximately 28% of the market being POE-based. The base case scenario anticipates a consistent growth rate exceeding seven percent annually over the next decade.
Material Dynamics
In 2021, MLTA identified a notable surge in POE adoption due to a temporary EVA shortage. The trend continued, primarily driven by performance requirements in the latest TOPCon cell structure-based solar modules. Concerns over potential-induced degradation (PID) have fueled the uptake of POE, despite its higher pricing. Sheet manufacturers are now innovating with multi-layer structures, combining POE with EVA to balance price and performance.
Globalization of Production
The report highlights an imminent globalization of encapsulant sheet production, influenced by regional and national initiatives such as the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act and local content requirements in India. Additionally, trade-related barriers, including anti-dumping duties in Europe, are expected to contribute to the shift. MLTA’s market modeling suggests that nearly 35% of sheet production will be outside of China by 2032.
Future Disruptions
MLTA CEO Stephen Moore notes the potential disruption by new POE producers in China, emphasizing the importance of their ability to develop suitable materials for solar module encapsulation and their pricing strategies.
Source：https://www.fintechnews.org
