Solar Cell Fabric Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity and Forecast, Segmented By Fabric (Nylon, Polyester, Acrylic, PVC, Others), By Solar Cell (Silicon, Thin-film, Perovskite, Organic, Quantum Dots, Multijunction, Concentrated, Others), By Product Type (Consumer Wearable, Drapes, Others), By End User (Residential, Non-Residential), By Region 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 37.94 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	10.25%
Fastest Growing Segment	Nylon
Largest Market	Asia Pacific
Market Size (2031)	USD 68.13 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Solar Cell Fabric Market will grow from USD 37.94 Billion in 2025 to USD 68.13 Billion by 2031 at a 10.25% CAGR. Solar cell fabric is defined as a flexible textile integrated with photovoltaic materials, such as thin-film or organic cells, enabling electricity generation within clothing, architectural membranes, or portable structures. The primary drivers fueling this market include the escalating demand for lightweight, off-grid power solutions in the defense and outdoor sectors, combined with the architectural imperative for building-integrated photovoltaics that blend aesthetics with functionality. These factors support a shift toward versatile energy-harvesting surfaces that traditional rigid panels cannot accommodate.

A significant challenge impeding rapid expansion is the technical difficulty of maintaining electrical efficiency while ensuring mechanical durability against washing and abrasion. Despite this hurdle, the sector benefits from the immense capitalization of the broader solar industry. According to SolarPower Europe, in 2024, global solar installations reached a record 597 GW. This substantial industrial growth provides the necessary supply chain maturity to support the development of niche technologies like solar cell fabrics.

Key Market Drivers

Advancements in flexible and thin-film photovoltaic technologies drive the solar cell fabric market by allowing for the production of lightweight cells that embed seamlessly into substrates without compromising integrity. Innovations in organic photovoltaics enable the creation of pliable energy-harvesting apparel that traditional silicon modules cannot support. This technological progression directly addresses the critical need for mechanical flexibility in textile applications. According to Dracula Technologies, January 2024, in the 'Green MicroPower Factory' announcement, the company inaugurated a facility capable of producing up to 150 million square centimeters of organic photovoltaic modules annually. Such manufacturing scalability is essential for transitioning solar fabrics from experimental prototypes to commercially viable products meeting market standards.

The global shift toward sustainable and renewable energy generation further accelerates adoption by necessitating energy solutions extending beyond conventional rooftop installations. As industries prioritize carbon neutrality, requirements for ubiquitous power generation prompt the integration of photovoltaics into surfaces like awnings and emergency shelters. This transition is supported by massive capital inflows into the clean energy sector. According to the International Energy Agency, June 2024, in the 'World Energy Investment 2024' report, global investment in solar PV was projected to grow to $500 billion in 2024. Additionally, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency, in 2024, solar energy accounted for 73% of the renewable capacity growth recorded the previous year. This dominant position ensures that solar cell fabrics have a robust foundation for future expansion.

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Key Market Challenges

The technical difficulty of maintaining electrical efficiency while ensuring mechanical durability against washing and abrasion is a critical obstacle restricting the Global Solar Cell Fabric Market. This inherent trade-off significantly hampers commercial expansion because the encapsulation layers required to protect photovoltaic cells from the rigorous mechanical stress of laundering often degrade their energy conversion capabilities. Consequently, manufacturers face a barrier in producing textiles that are both functional for daily wear and capable of generating sufficient power, confining the technology to niche, temporary applications rather than mass-market consumer apparel or permanent architectural use.

This limitation prevents solar fabrics from capturing a meaningful share of the broader solar energy sector, which demands high reliability and longevity. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), in 2024, the U.S. solar industry installed nearly 50 GW of new generation capacity. This substantial market volume is dominated by rigid technologies that offer guaranteed lifespans, highlighting the performance gap that fabric-based solutions currently fail to bridge. The inability to withstand abrasion and washing cycles without efficiency loss leaves solar fabrics unable to compete with these mature standards, directly impeding the sector's growth potential.

Key Market Trends

The Expansion of Solar Fabric Applications in Architectural Facades and Awnings is transforming the construction landscape by enabling the activation of building envelopes that cannot support the weight of rigid panels. This trend positions solar textiles as essential components in bioclimatic architecture, where tensile membranes and shading systems actively contribute to a building's energy balance while maintaining aesthetic fluidity. The adoption of these integrated solutions is accelerating as regional markets prioritize the decarbonization of the built environment through advanced regulatory frameworks. According to TaiyangNews, March 2025, in the 'IEA PVPS Proposes Stronger Partnerships To Drive BIPV Growth' article, Italy has emerged as a frontrunner in this sector, achieving the largest installed capacity of Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) with more than 2.5 GW of deployments.

Simultaneously, the Integration of Photovoltaics into Smart Performance Apparel is redefining the wearables market by embedding energy harvesting capabilities directly into consumer goods and accessories. This development addresses the critical limitation of battery life in connected devices, utilizing advancements in light-sensitive polymers to harvest energy from ambient indoor and outdoor lighting conditions. The sector is witnessing a rapid transition from prototype research to industrial-scale manufacturing, supported by substantial capital injections aimed at refining production efficiency. According to Exeger, November 2025, in the 'Exeger is granted SEK 130 million in support from the Swedish Energy Agency' press release, the company secured SEK 130 million to accelerate the industrialization and scale-up of its flexible indoor solar cell technology.

Segmental Insights

The Nylon segment is currently experiencing the most rapid growth within the Global Solar Cell Fabric Market due to its exceptional balance of durability and elasticity. Manufacturers increasingly select this material for flexible photovoltaic applications because it resists abrasion and environmental wear without adding significant weight. Consequently, nylon is essential for producing lightweight and portable solar products, such as outdoor awnings and wearable technology, which require fabrics that withstand frequent movement. This practical combination of strength and flexibility ensures reliable energy generation in diverse conditions, thereby fostering the accelerated adoption of nylon across the industry.

Regional Insights

The Asia Pacific region commands a dominant position in the Global Solar Cell Fabric Market, primarily due to its expansive manufacturing infrastructure and substantial government support for renewable energy technologies. Nations such as China and India have implemented strategic policies that lower production costs and encourage the adoption of photovoltaic textiles. This industrial leadership is further strengthened by a robust supply chain that facilitates the integration of solar cells into diverse applications, including wearable devices and building materials. Consequently, the region remains a central hub for both the production and consumption of solar fabric solutions.

Recent Developments

• In April 2025, Toyoda Gosei, a major automotive component manufacturer, unveiled a solar cell vest at the World Expo in Osaka, Japan. Developed in collaboration with a solar technology startup and a textile manufacturer, the vest integrates ultra-thin, flexible perovskite solar cells directly into the clothing to generate electricity for powering wearable devices like neck fans and mobile batteries. This product launch highlights the practical application of next-generation photovoltaic materials in the solar fabric market, demonstrating how energy harvesting can be seamlessly incorporated into everyday apparel.
• In May 2024, Heliatek, a leading manufacturer of organic photovoltaics, initiated the "Flex16" research project with the objective of increasing the efficiency of its flexible solar films to over 16 percent. The project focuses on developing novel organic semiconductor materials and optimizing cell designs to boost performance while maintaining the lightweight and flexible characteristics essential for integrating solar power into surfaces such as tent fabrics and building facades. This research effort represents a strategic move to make organic solar films more commercially competitive against traditional silicon-based technologies.
• In April 2024, Pvilion, a company specializing in solar-powered fabric products, inaugurated its new headquarters in Brooklyn, New York. The opening of the 13,500-square-foot facility marked a significant expansion for the manufacturer, allowing it to scale up the production of its flexible photovoltaic textile solutions, which include solar military tents and architectural canopies. In conjunction with this expansion, the company partnered with a civilian climate corps program to provide green job training to the local community, aiming to equip a new workforce with skills in clean energy manufacturing and installation.
• In April 2024, PowerFilm Solar launched a new 60-watt foldable solar panel featuring a protective overlaminate designed to enhance the durability of both the solar modules and the integrated fabric backing. This product release was aimed at providing a rugged, portable power solution for small to medium electronic devices in off-grid environments. The new overlaminate technology improves the product's resistance to moisture and environmental wear, addressing a key challenge in the market for textile-integrated solar power sources and extending the operational lifespan of the foldable units.

Key Market Players

• The Solar Cloth Company Ltd
• Konarka Technologies, Inc.
• PowerFilm Solar Inc.
• ShadePlex
• Pvilion
• HELIATEK
• Solivus Limited
• ENGIE Utilities Company
• First Solar Inc.
• SunPower Corporation

By Fabric	By Solar Cell	By Product Type	By End User	By Region
Nylon Polyester Acrylic PVC Others	Silicon Thin-film Perovskite Organic Quantum Dots Multijunction Concentrated Others	Consumer Wearable Drapes Others	Residential Non-Residential	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

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

• Solar Cell Fabric Market, By Fabric:

• Nylon
• Polyester
• Acrylic
• PVC
• Others

• Solar Cell Fabric Market, By Solar Cell:

• Silicon
• Thin-film
• Perovskite
• Organic
• Quantum Dots
• Multijunction
• Concentrated
• Others

• Solar Cell Fabric Market, By Product Type:

• Consumer Wearable
• Drapes
• Others

• Solar Cell Fabric Market, By End User:

• Residential
• Non-Residential

• Solar Cell Fabric 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