The renewable energy industry is facing an imminent world-wide glass shortage, with technology company Sunman expecting
PV glass output to be 20%-30% short of demand in 2021.
The fall in production follows restrictions in China, where the majority of solar glass is made. The limitations have
been imposed by the government in an effort to limit pollution due to the energy-intensive process of manufacturing
glass. The shortage of supply risks having a knock-on effect for the booming green energy industry.
Most traditional solar panels utilise glass to protect the solar photovoltaic cells from potentially damaging external
factors, with approximately 20% of the cost of traditional solar panels being due to the glass. Given that the cost of
the glass that coats photovoltaic panels doubled in the last half of 2020, many solar panel manufacturers are being
forced to increase their prices to compensate.
The shortage comes as the solar industry turns toward bifacial panels, which use glass on both sides, thereby increasing
both power output and glass requirements. Sunman predicts the demand for bifacial panels will make up half the market
for solar panels in 2022.
Solar glass manufacturers requested permission from the Chinese Government to increase production to accommodate the
shortage, but it will take some time to scale up. The shortage is easing due to capacity being tweaked, sales being
delayed and reductions in revenue. Whilst it is anticipated that new capacity will come online, there will be a shortage
of large panels throughout 2021 as production capacity will not be able to keep up with the increasing demand for
modules.
It will also not address the issue of emissions or recycling as solar glass, due to impurities such as cadmium, lead and
other chemicals, cannot be recycled at the end of its lifespan.
“Manufacturing more glass will solve the shortage issue, but it is still a very energy-intensive process, which creates
pollution. The production of the glass-free e-Arc panel is less polluting as it is manufactured in a single step process
to create a lightweight polymer composite material and does not require aluminium frames,” said Dr Zhengrong Shi,
founder of Sunman and solar entrepreneur.
The price issue has lead to a 40% increase in enquiries, particularly in South-East Asia and Europe, for Sunman’s
innovative e-Arc modules. 70 percent lighter than a glass panel and easier to install, they also avoid the use of
aluminium which is an energy- intensive raw material used in making all glass.
This allows the modules to be used across a wider range of applications as they can be installed across existing
rooftops on factories, warehouses, garages, and other structures that are not strong enough to support heavier glass
panels.
“The e-Arc modules are a cost-effective alternative to traditional solar as they are flexible and can be bonded to
rooftops or other building surfaces such as facades. There is huge potential for commercial and industrial building
owners to reduce their costs and lower emissions by investing in e-Arc solar, “added Shi.
Many building owners are unaware that the payback period for investing in solar has plummeted over the past decade with
the average period now down to 2.5 years. The investment costs can now be more easily offset against the immediate
savings in electricity costs.
Last year, the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) invested $7 million in Sunman to further develop the application
of its e-ARC modules.