BOSTON, Massachusetts – In the midst of discussions surrounding significant revisions to Germany's solar power feed-in tariff (EEG), Photon Consulting, a specialist in solar energy research and analysis, has released its latest PV market demand report, Solar Power Markets: Prepare for Impact, emphasising the need for solar companies to aggressively explore end-markets outside of Germany.

Since mid-2009, the consultancy's team of analysts has anticipated major revisions to Germany's EEG, which resulted in the firm's decision to begin preparing the 436-page report.

A prominent global PV analyst and the CEO of Boston-based Photon, Michael Rogol, said: "The changes to the EEG currently being discussed are just a first move toward a German PV market that is much more constrained. The implication for solar power companies is clear: You must diversify away from Germany."

This message serves as the core of the consultancy's latest downstream market demand report, which forecasts the German PV market turn-off by 2013. It is seen as the definitive guide to the current state and outlook of PV installation demand for 13 key emerging and existing global markets.

Analysis of trends

Each end-market is highlighted in a 30-page profile that includes crucial market-specific data, and analysis on price and volume trends, project economics, policy details, key market participants and regulatory requirements.

Mr Rogol said: "In order to survive the saturation of a major market, such as Germany, solar companies at every step of the supply chain must build sales channels to a dozen end-markets, not overly rely on just the German market."

If significant German policy changes are made to the EEG, Photon Consulting will be hosting a ‘webinar' (sic) to discuss the impact of those changes on price and volume in the PV sector. The fee for the webinar will be $950 per person. However, access will be free to customers who have purchased the report.

To view a detailed report summary of Solar Power Markets: Prepare for Impact or to purchase a copy, visit the Boston-based consultancy’s website.

Corporate information

Photon Consulting is believed to be the largest dedicated solar energy research consultancy, and is a noted supplier of in-depth research, management, and strategic consulting services specific to the PV sector. With the deep, broad integrated coverage, it tracks the solar energy sector from feedstock to factory gate to end customer in every active and emerging market.

Its solar consultants model company, geographic and industry projections from the outside in, cross-checking company announcements with providers and buyers. Data comprises historical and five-year forward projections for price, volume, revenue, cost, operating profit, operating margin, and demand for c-Si and thin film technologies. More at www.photonconsulting.com/