세계의 태양광발전 웨이퍼 시장 규모는 2024년에 149억 9,000만 달러로, 예측 기간 중 CAGR은 11.82%로 2030년에는 295억 9,000만 달러에 달할 것으로 예측됩니다.
| 시장 개요 | |
|---|---|
| 예측 기간 | 2026-2030 |
| 시장 규모 : 2024년 | 149억 9,000만 달러 |
| 시장 규모 : 2030년 | 295억 9,000만 달러 |
| CAGR : 2025-2030년 | 11.82% |
| 급성장 부문 | 갈륨 비소(GaAs) 웨이퍼 |
| 최대 시장 | 아시아태평양 |
세계 태양광발전(PV) 웨이퍼 시장은 태양광 에너지의 급속한 확대와 웨이퍼 설계 및 제조의 지속적인 기술 발전에 힘입어 강력한 성장세를 보이고 있습니다. 태양전지의 기본 컴포넌트인 PV 웨이퍼는 태양전지 모듈의 효율, 성능, 총비용을 결정하는 데 중요한 역할을 합니다. 세계 에너지 수요 증가, 탈탄소화 목표, 재생에너지 도입을 촉진하는 정부 주도의 노력은 주택, 상업용, 공공시설 등 다양한 용도의 PV 웨이퍼 수요를 촉진하고 있습니다. 이 시장은 다결정 웨이퍼에 비해 우수한 효율과 출력을 제공하는 단결정 웨이퍼에 대한 선호도가 높아지고 있는 것에 큰 영향을 받고 있습니다. 이러한 변화는 웨이퍼 슬라이스 기술의 발전으로 인한 제조 비용의 감소와 대형 제조업체들 간의 규모의 경제로 인해 더욱 가속화되고 있습니다.
또한 M10(182mm), G12(210mm) 등 모듈당 발전량을 높이고 대규모 태양광발전 프로젝트의 BOS(Balance of System) 비용을 절감할 수 있는 더 큰 웨이퍼 사이즈로의 전환이 진행되고 있는 것도 중요한 원동력이 되고 있습니다. 이러한 추세는 출력을 극대화하고 토지 및 설치 비용을 최적화하려는 유틸리티 규모의 개발자들을 끌어들이고 있습니다. 이와 함께 TOPCon, 헤테로 접합, 부동태화 이미터 후면접촉(PERC) 등 첨단 셀 기술의 통합으로 순도가 향상되고 두께가 얇아진 고품질 웨이퍼에 대한 요구가 증가하고 있습니다. 공급 측면에서는 소수의 수직 통합 기업, 특히 세계 웨이퍼 생산 능력의 대부분을 장악하고 있는 중국이 시장을 지배하고 있습니다. LONGi, JinkoSolar, GCL-Poly와 같은 기업이 최전선에 서서 생산을 확대하고 웨이퍼 기술 혁신을 추진하고 있습니다. 그러나 미국, 독일, 한국 등의 국가들은 수입 의존도를 줄이고 공급망 강인성을 강화하기 위해 국내 웨이퍼 생산시설에 투자하고 있습니다.
강력한 성장세에도 불구하고 태양광 웨이퍼 시장은 원자재 가격 변동, 무역 규제, 에너지 집약적인 제조 공정과 관련된 환경 문제 등의 문제에 직면해 있습니다. 또한 일부 지역에서는 웨이퍼 잉여가 지속되고 있으며, 업체 간 가격 경쟁도 치열하여 이익률을 압박하고 있습니다. 하지만 아시아태평양, 중동, 라틴아메리카의 신흥 국가들이 태양광발전 도입을 확대하고 있고, 전 세계 태양광발전 설비는 꾸준히 증가할 것으로 예상되므로 사업 기회는 여전히 큽니다. 또한 박막 웨이퍼, 페로브스카이트 실리콘 탄뎀셀, 실리콘 소재 재활용의 기술적 혁신이 새로운 성장의 길을 열어줄 것으로 예측됩니다. 전반적으로 세계 태양광 웨이퍼 시장은 정책적 지원, 기술 혁신, 세계 청정에너지로의 전환 가속화에 힘입어 향후 수년간 크게 성장할 것으로 예측됩니다.
웨이퍼 사이즈의 대형화와 고효율 기술로의 전환
에너지 집약적 제조 공정
전체 밸류체인의 수직적 통합
Global Solar Photovoltaic Wafer Market was valued at USD 14.99 Billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 29.59 Billion by 2030 with a CAGR of 11.82% during the forecast period.
| Market Overview | |
|---|---|
| Forecast Period | 2026-2030 |
| Market Size 2024 | USD 14.99 Billion |
| Market Size 2030 | USD 29.59 Billion |
| CAGR 2025-2030 | 11.82% |
| Fastest Growing Segment | Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) Wafers |
| Largest Market | Asia Pacific |
The global Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Wafer Market is experiencing strong growth, driven by the rapid expansion of solar energy as a mainstream source of power generation and the continuous technological advancements in wafer design and manufacturing. PV wafers, the fundamental building blocks for solar cells, play a crucial role in determining the efficiency, performance, and overall cost of solar modules. Rising global energy demand, decarbonization targets, and government-led initiatives promoting renewable energy adoption are fueling the demand for PV wafers across residential, commercial, and utility-scale applications. The market is highly influenced by the growing preference for monocrystalline wafers, which offer superior efficiency and better power output compared to multicrystalline wafers. This shift is further supported by falling production costs due to advancements in wafer slicing technologies and economies of scale among leading manufacturers.
Another key driver is the ongoing transition toward larger wafer sizes such as M10 (182 mm) and G12 (210 mm), which enable higher power generation per module and reduce the balance-of-system (BOS) cost for large-scale solar projects. This trend is attracting utility-scale developers seeking to maximize output and optimize land and installation costs. Alongside this, the integration of advanced cell technologies such as TOPCon, heterojunction, and passivated emitter rear contact (PERC) is increasing the need for high-quality wafers with enhanced purity and thinner profiles. In terms of supply, the market is dominated by a few vertically integrated players, particularly in China, which controls the majority of global wafer manufacturing capacity. Companies like LONGi, JinkoSolar, and GCL-Poly are at the forefront, scaling up production and driving innovation in wafer technology. However, countries such as the United States, Germany, and South Korea are investing in domestic wafer production facilities to reduce reliance on imports and strengthen supply chain resilience.
Despite its strong growth trajectory, the PV wafer market faces challenges such as raw material price fluctuations, trade restrictions, and environmental concerns related to energy-intensive manufacturing processes. The ongoing surplus of wafers in certain regions and intense price competition among manufacturers also put pressure on profit margins. Nevertheless, opportunities remain robust as global solar installations are projected to rise steadily, with emerging economies in Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Latin America expanding solar deployment. Furthermore, technological breakthroughs in thin-film wafers, perovskite-silicon tandem cells, and recycling of silicon materials are expected to open new avenues for growth. Overall, the global solar PV wafer market is set to expand significantly in the coming years, underpinned by a combination of policy support, technological innovation, and the accelerating global transition toward clean energy.
Key Market Drivers
Shift to Larger Wafer Sizes & Higher Efficiency Technologies
The solar photovoltaic wafer market is being accelerated by the rapid adoption of larger wafer formats that deliver greater efficiency and lower system costs. In 2022, large-format wafers accounted for about 83% of global wafer production, and by 2023 this share had increased to nearly 96%, showing a clear trend toward size scaling. Capacity for 210 mm wafers grew by 74% year-on-year, reaching over 320 GW, and their market share climbed to nearly 39%. Meanwhile, shipments of 210 mm modules surpassed 120 GW, reflecting strong adoption by utility-scale developers. By mid-2023, global production capacity for 210 mm modules had reached more than 720 GW, representing almost 70% of total module capacity, with one major player alone contributing close to 50% of this output. This transition is also being reinforced by system-level benefits, as larger wafers allow higher power generation per panel and reduce balance-of-system costs by more than 6% compared to legacy formats. These quantifiable improvements in efficiency and cost are driving manufacturers and developers alike to prioritize large wafer adoption, making it a central driver of the global PV wafer market.
Key Market Challenges
High Energy-Intensive Manufacturing Process
The production of solar PV wafers is highly energy-intensive, particularly in the silicon purification and wafer slicing stages. Manufacturing requires temperatures above 1,400°C for polysilicon production, consuming substantial electricity and contributing to high operational costs. This dependence on energy sources poses challenges, especially in regions where electricity prices are volatile. Even though renewable-powered manufacturing is emerging, most current wafer plants in Asia still rely on coal-heavy grids. Additionally, wafer cutting generates significant kerf loss (silicon waste), accounting for 35-40% of the original ingot, adding to inefficiencies. Recycling initiatives are in progress but remain limited in scale. With wafer thickness shrinking below 160 microns to improve efficiency, breakage rates during production also rise, compounding cost pressures. Overall, the challenge lies in balancing efficiency improvements while lowering the environmental and energy footprint of wafer manufacturing.
Key Market Trends
Vertical Integration Across the Value Chain
A major trend is the increasing vertical integration among leading solar companies. Manufacturers are expanding their operations from polysilicon production to wafer, cell, and module manufacturing under one umbrella. This integration reduces dependency on external suppliers, ensures quality control, and provides cost advantages by optimizing logistics and production synergies. LONGi, for example, has built a fully integrated value chain, from ingots to modules, allowing it to secure stable wafer supplies while lowering overall costs. Similarly, GCL-Poly and Tongwei are pursuing integrated strategies to strengthen their competitiveness. Vertical integration also provides flexibility in responding to market fluctuations and helps companies withstand raw material price volatility. Additionally, integrated firms can tailor wafer specifications to align with their own cell and module technologies, accelerating innovation. This trend is expected to intensify, with more players consolidating operations across the solar value chain to secure long-term stability.
In this report, the Global Solar Photovoltaic Wafer Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:
Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Solar Photovoltaic Wafer Market.
Global Solar Photovoltaic Wafer Market report with the given market data, TechSci Research offers customizations according to a company's specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report: