The future of photovoltaic industry

Bayer Material Science and Technology is committed to the development of new sustainable technologies and materials, and in particular to the optimization of energy from recycled resources such as solar and wind energy.

Taking PV as an example, it focuses on the specific solutions for customers. Its features are higher energy savings, lower production costs, and wider application. Dr. Frithjof Hannig, who is in charge of Bayer MaterialScience's photovoltaic activities, said, “Now we can offer a variety of innovations, including a polyurethane protective layer for solar modules, a solar cell with polycarbonate panels, and a highly-flexible solar module.”

At present, crystalline silicon solar cells occupy a leading position in solar energy technology.

Foreign PV industry development

Developed countries such as Germany, Japan and the United States have taken the lead in the use of solar energy in the world. With the development of photovoltaic roof plans and photovoltaic building integration, the proportion of solar power generation in Germany, Japan, and the United States accounts for a significant increase in their total energy use.

The rapid development of solar photovoltaic power generation in Germany and Japan is inseparable from the active guidance and incentive measures taken by the government. In Germany, two major incentives were used: First, high-priced acquisitions of residential solar power were imported into the main grid (0.53 euros/kWh), while residents used solar power at the same price as ordinary electricity (0.21 euros/kWh). It stimulated residents' consciousness of installing solar power generation equipment on their own roofs and patios. Second, loans were given priority, and loans were discounted by 3%. Residents were encouraged to purchase and install solar power generation equipment.

In order to encourage the use of solar power, Japan has adopted a similar subsidy method. The investment spent by residents on installation of solar power generation equipment is subsidized by the government by 50%. The electricity generated by solar energy is integrated into the power grid and acquired by the government at a high price; the price of residential electricity is lower than the purchase price. The incentives of the policy have greatly increased the enthusiasm of residents in using solar power. In the past year alone, Japan has installed 80,000 rooftops with new solar power equipment.