Global solar photovoltaic (PV) demand will reach 59 GW in 2015, an increase over the previous solar-PV demand forecast released in June 2015, according to IHS Inc. The company now expects global solar installations to grow by 33 percent this year, which is the fastest growth rate since 2011.
IHS also raised its 2016 forecast by more than 2 GW to 65 GW, for two main reasons: first, an acceleration of projects in the United States, ahead of the solar investment tax credit (ITC) expiration; and, second, faster growth in China, led by a likely increase in long-term government targets. While growth will drop to a moderate 12 percent in 2016, solar PV installations will still surpass 65 GW that year, with total installed global capacity exceeding 300 GW,according to the latest information in the Downstream PV Intelligence Service from IHS Technology
“IHS Technology already had one of the most bullish forecasts in the industry,” said Ash Sharma, senior research director for IHS. “But due to accelerated and expanded deployment in the United States, as well as in China, India and other countries in Asia, our forecast has increased further.”
