Frost: North, Southeast Asia Warms to Building Integrated Photovoltaic Systems
November 25, 2008 // Published as a news service by IHS
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According to Frost & Sullivan, the countries in these regions are gradually promoting clean energy technologies such as wind, solar and biomass over conventional, GHG-emitting power sources to plug the source of global warming.
Among solar energies, building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) is being increasingly sought out by real estate companies and builders for its distributed power generation ability, especially in the urban areas.
Recent analysis from Frost & Sullivan of the BIPV markets in North and Southeast Asia found earned revenues of $1.26 billion in 2007, with estimates to reach $2.51 billion in 2014.
"Growing awareness among various end-user segments, coupled with abundant availability of sunlight, is fostering the growth of BIPV market in cities," said Frost & Sullivan industry analyst Suchitra Sriram.
"Solar energy-integrated townships and clean energy buildings are being extensively planned and promoted to highlight the savings in energy and measure carbon dioxide [CO2] emissions.”
Breaking out of the confines of rural area deployment for distributed or centralized power generation, renewable energy - especially BIPV - is gaining widespread acceptance among city builders. Analysts said one of the main reasons for its popularity is its prevention of transmission and distribution (T&D) loss, as electricity is consumed at the point of generation.
However, the BIPV market still has some ground to cover before it can aim for large-scale commercialization in North and Southeast Asia. This is because builders are put off by the high installation and generation costs, a minimum pay back period of six to eight years, and lack of an attractive feed-in-tariff from the utilities. For reasons of economic viability and low product awareness, builders and real estate companies prefer to buy electricity from the utilities at a much cheaper rate than invest in renewable energy sources.
Despite the hurdles, BIPV power generation has made a case for itself with its unique ability to power mass applications in urban areas. While promoting energy efficiency and low energy use in buildings, it also offers multi-functional solutions for modern-day architecture.
Despite a slowdown in capacity additions, analysts said North Asia exhibits great potential for the commercial end-user segment. Among all the countries in this region, Japan is the one that has best cashed in on the opportunities in the commercial and residential segments.
"The withdrawal of subsidies in 2005 has had a moderate impact on the growth of the BIPV market," said Sriram. "Meanwhile, in South Korea, the introduction of attractive feed-in-tariff is likely to fuel the growth of centralized solar PV systems."
On the other hand, Southeast Asia holds promise for BIPV systems in both the residential and commercial end-user segments, analysts said, thanks to a strong push from the government and solar subsidy programs. Malaysia has successfully deployed BIPV systems and other countries in the region are soon likely to follow in its footsteps.
Singapore trails close behind Malaysia in BIPV deployment, and installations in this country are forecast to increase from 2010 due to the introduction of the "Green Mark Scheme" in the construction industry.
Analysts said it is vital to have solid government backing in the form of long-term subsidies and incentives. An attractive feed-in tariff and a robust policy framework is needed to provide guidance to potential developers and end-users, while greater awareness through frequent information dissemination on the technology, economics and business models of BIPV installations will also go a long way in buoying this market.
Reduced installation costs and integration in the industry are the other crucial factors that can kindle the interest of the industry stakeholders. Analysts said this will also encourage R&D in BIPV systems' designing and facilitate large-scale commercialization of the technology.
Source: Frost & Sullivan.