In 2005, four out of five solar modules were installed in Germany, Japan and the U.S. The global market grew by 35 % to 1,460 MW, compared with 1,086 MW in 2004. In Germany, the market monitoring company Solarbuzz estimates average market growth of 25 % per year until 2010. In Japan, growth is said to be 25 % annually. New markets such as Spain, South Korea and China are joining in. Solar energy is a booming sector – and will continue to experience rapid beyond 2010.
Today, the technology of multicrystalline and monocrystalline silicon cells dominates the solar market. In 2005 its share was over 90 %. In addition to these established technologies, more and more new technologies are being developed which use far less silicon, or none at all, but which still have relatively low efficiency. Q-Cells SE is already investing in CSG technology and other innovative technologies with the aim of remaining at the leading edge of development. Q-Cells is also conducting research into thin-film technologies.
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