Solar Photovoltaic Glass Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Type (Anti-Reflective Coated, Tempered, Transparent Conductive Oxide Coated, Others), By Application (Residential, Non-Residential), By End User (Crystalline Silicon PV Modules, Thin Film PV Modules), By Region & Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 19.73 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	28.67%
Fastest Growing Segment	Residential
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 89.53 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Solar Photovoltaic Glass Market will grow from USD 19.73 Billion in 2025 to USD 89.53 Billion by 2031 at a 28.67% CAGR. Solar photovoltaic glass is a specialized, highly transparent tempered glass engineered to protect solar cells from environmental factors while maximizing light transmission to ensure optimal energy conversion. The market is primarily propelled by stringent government decarbonization mandates worldwide and the escalating adoption of bifacial modules, which require glass on both sides of the panel to increase power generation efficiency. These factors, combined with technological advancements in glass thickness and durability, sustain a robust demand trajectory for high-performance solar glass products.

According to SolarPower Europe, in 2024, the global solar industry installed 597 gigawatts of new capacity, a figure that highlights the surging volume of component materials required by the sector. However, this upward trajectory faces a significant impediment regarding grid infrastructure limitations, as aging electrical networks often struggle to accommodate the rapid influx of variable renewable energy, creating bottlenecks that could delay utility-scale project connections and impede broader market expansion.

Key Market Drivers

The surging deployment of utility-scale solar power projects stands as a primary catalyst for the Global Solar Photovoltaic Glass Market, fundamentally altering the volume of material required by the industry. As nations transition toward renewable energy, the construction of massive photovoltaic parks creates a consistent, high-volume demand for durable, high-transmittance glass to cover vast arrays of modules. This trend is exemplified by the United States market, where, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), March 2025, the utility-scale segment installed a record-breaking 41.4 GWdc in 2024, underscoring the immense scale of material consumption in centralized generation. This sector's preference for large-format modules further intensifies the need for specialized glass products that can maintain structural integrity while maximizing light capture over extensive surface areas.

Concurrently, the increasing adoption of bifacial modules requiring dual-glass designs is reshaping the technical and volumetric requirements of the market. Unlike traditional monofacial panels that use a polymer backsheet, bifacial modules utilize glass on both the front and rear surfaces to capture reflected light, effectively doubling the glass surface area per unit. This technological shift is rapidly becoming the industry standard; according to the VDMA, April 2025, in the 'International Technology Roadmap for Photovoltaic (ITRPV) 16th Edition', bifacial solar cells are expected to capture around 90% of the market share, enabling widespread production of dual-glass modules. This transition coincides with massive regional expansion, as the China Photovoltaic Industry Association (CPIA) reported in February 2025 that China alone installed 277 GW of new solar capacity in 2024, fueling immense demand for component materials.

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Key Market Challenges

Grid infrastructure limitations act as a significant restraint on the expansion of the Global Solar Photovoltaic Glass Market. Although module production capabilities have increased, aging electrical networks often lack the capacity to integrate variable renewable energy, causing bottlenecks that prevent utility-scale projects from connecting to the grid. This creates a direct disruption in the supply chain; since solar glass demand is derived from panel installation, delays in project commissioning lead to stagnation in procurement orders. Consequently, glass manufacturers face restricted market uptake, as the consumption of their product is capped by infrastructure readiness rather than solar demand potential.

This bottleneck is quantified by significant project backlogs. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), in 2024, approximately 1,650 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity in advanced development stages were waiting for grid connections globally. This backlog, dominated by solar photovoltaic projects, represents a vast volume of stalled demand. The inability to timely connect these projects directly impedes the flow of materials, preventing the solar glass market from realizing its full growth trajectory in alignment with global decarbonization targets.

Key Market Trends

The industry is witnessing a significant Shift Towards Low-Carbon and Recycled Glass Manufacturing Processes, driven by intensifying pressure to decarbonize the entire solar supply chain. As developers and regulators focus on the embodied carbon of renewable energy projects, glass manufacturers are modifying production techniques to utilize higher percentages of cullet and renewable energy sources, moving away from carbon-intensive fossil fuel furnaces. This focus on sustainability is creating a new tier of premium, eco-efficient products. According to Saint-Gobain Glass, April 2025, in the press release 'ORAÉ®: UK's First Lower-Carbon Glass', the company's newly commercialized low-carbon glass substrate is manufactured with a minimum of 64% recycled glass content, resulting in a 42% lower carbon footprint compared to standard clear float glass.

Concurrently, there is a measurable Expansion of Transparent Conductive Oxide Glass for Thin-Film Panels, distinct from the requirements of standard crystalline silicon modules. Thin-film photovoltaic technologies, such as Cadmium Telluride (CdTe), rely on a specialized glass layer coated with a transparent conductive oxide (TCO) to function as the front electrical contact, necessitating dedicated production lines with advanced coating capabilities. This niche but high-volume segment is expanding rapidly to support the scaling of non-silicon module production. According to TaiyangNews, January 2025, in the article 'NSG US Solar Glass Production Line Begins Operations', NSG Group's converted facility in Ohio commenced TCO glass production specifically to supply First Solar, whose domestic manufacturing footprint is forecast to reach 14 gigawatts of annual capacity by 2026.

Segmental Insights

The Residential segment is currently the fastest-growing category within the Global Solar Photovoltaic Glass Market. This expansion is primarily driven by an increasing number of homeowners adopting rooftop solar solutions to mitigate rising electricity costs and achieve energy independence. The market is significantly bolstered by supportive regulatory frameworks that incentivize distributed energy generation. For instance, the International Energy Agency (IEA) indicates that favorable policy initiatives and high energy prices are accelerating the deployment of residential solar systems globally. Additionally, the rising adoption of Building-Integrated Photovoltaics is fueling demand, as these technologies allow for the seamless and aesthetic integration of energy generation into residential architecture.

Regional Insights

North America currently leads the Global Solar Photovoltaic Glass Market, driven by robust regulatory frameworks and a strong commitment to renewable energy infrastructure. Market analysis indicates that the region's dominance is heavily supported by the United States Inflation Reduction Act, which provides substantial incentives for domestic solar manufacturing and installation. This legislative backing has accelerated the adoption of solar technologies across residential and utility sectors, creating a stable environment for industry expansion. Furthermore, the region benefits from established supply chains and a heightened focus on decarbonization targets, ensuring its primary position in the global landscape.

Recent Developments

• In January 2025, the NSG Group announced the commencement of operations at its newly converted transparent conductive oxide (TCO) glass facility in Rossford, Ohio. This production line, formed by upgrading an existing float glass line, was established to support the manufacturing requirements of First Solar, a leading thin-film module producer. The facility employs proprietary online coating technology to manufacture durable, high-volume coated glass specifically designed for photovoltaic applications. This strategic operational milestone allowed the company to localize the supply of critical solar components, thereby strengthening the domestic renewable energy supply chain and reducing logistics costs for the North American market.
• In January 2025, Borosil Renewables announced a significant expansion of its solar glass manufacturing capabilities, planning to increase daily production capacity from 1,000 tons to 1,500 tons. This decision followed the implementation of a government-mandated reference price for imported solar glass, which was designed to mitigate the impact of low-cost imports on domestic manufacturers. The company stated that this capacity addition would bolster the local supply chain for photovoltaic module producers and reduce dependence on foreign materials. The move demonstrated the firm's renewed confidence in the market environment and its commitment to meeting the growing demand for solar energy infrastructure.
• In August 2024, Xinyi Solar showcased its latest advancements in photovoltaic glass technology, introducing a double-layer high-transparency anti-reflective coated front glass. This new product was engineered with a specific coating to achieve light transparency exceeding 94 percent, optimizing energy conversion for solar modules. The company also presented an ultrathin high-reflective rear glass designed to minimize surface reflection losses and improve the efficiency of bifacial solar cells. These product innovations were developed to address the technical needs of large-format modules, reflecting the manufacturer's continuous focus on research and development to enhance the performance and durability of solar glass solutions.
• In March 2024, Silfab Solar formed a strategic partnership with Solarcycle to procure ultra-low carbon glass for its premium photovoltaic modules. Through this collaboration, the module manufacturer agreed to incorporate glass produced from recycled end-of-life solar panels at a planned facility in Georgia. This initiative represented a major advancement in circular supply chain practices within the solar industry, aiming to significantly lower the embodied carbon of solar panels. The agreement not only secured a domestic source of sustainable glass but also supported the broader industry goal of reducing waste and enhancing the environmental footprint of renewable energy technologies.

Key Market Players

• Compagnie de Saint-Gobain
• Yingli Energy Development Company Limited
• Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd
• TrinaSolar Co., Ltd.
• Koch, Inc.
• AGC Inc.
• Brite Hellas SA Solar Energy Technology
• Borosil Technologies Limited
• Sharp Corporation
• Vishakha Renewables Pvt. Ltd.

By Type	By Application	By End User	By Region
Anti-Reflective Coated Tempered Transparent Conductive Oxide Coated Others	Residential Non-Residential	Crystalline Silicon PV Modules Thin Film PV Modules	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Solar Photovoltaic Glass Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Solar Photovoltaic Glass Market, By Type:

• Anti-Reflective Coated
• Tempered
• Transparent Conductive Oxide Coated
• Others

• Solar Photovoltaic Glass Market, By Application:

• Residential
• Non-Residential

• Solar Photovoltaic Glass Market, By End User:

• Crystalline Silicon PV Modules
• Thin Film PV Modules

• Solar Photovoltaic Glass Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE