Global Solar Shipments Hold at 706 GW in 2025

Global shipments of PV modules steadied at 706 GW in 2025

The International Technology Roadmap for Photovoltaics (ITRPV) reports that worldwide photovoltaic (PV) module shipments were essentially unchanged from the 2024 record, staying at roughly 706 gigawatts (GW) for the year 2025. This figure comes from data supplied by 38 companies and research institutes across the value chain and is publicly available via the VDMA portal.

Spot prices rebounded 9% but the long‑term cost decline continues

After two years of sharp price drops in 2023‑24, average spot prices for crystalline‑silicon modules rose by about 9 % by the end of 2025 compared with the previous year. Even with this short‑term uptick, the historic learning‑rate of ≈26 % from 1976 to 2025 still holds, meaning every time global cumulative production doubled, module prices fell by roughly a quarter. The same trend is echoed by industry analysts who note a 22 % learning‑rate over the last decade.

Crystalline silicon still dominates, but cell tech is shifting

Crystalline silicon accounted for ≈98 % of total PV production in 2025. Within that segment, n‑type wafers captured about 82 % of the market, overtaking p‑type. TOPCon cells kept the top market share, while p‑type PERC lost ground. The roadmap projects that silicon heterojunction (HJT) and back‑contact (BC) cells will grow, and tandem silicon cells are expected to enter mass production after 2027, eventually reaching double‑digit market share.

Silver use per watt fell to ~10 mg/W, a 20 % drop from 2024

Material‑efficiency improvements kept the total silver consumption for 2025 at 7,244 tonnes, about 20 % less than in 2024. Dividing this by the 706 GW shipped gives an average of ≈10 mg of silver per watt—down from 12 mg/W for HJT cells and 10 mg/W for bifacial TOPCon cells. Independent industry reporting confirms the same trend, noting that typical silver use now sits between 5‑10 mg/W for modern modules.

Manufacturing consolidates around mega‑factories and smarter processes

Factories with annual capacities of 5 GW or more are set to dominate utility‑scale production, while sub‑1 GW plants will stay niche. Laser‑enhanced contact optimisation (LECO) now appears in roughly 74 % of TOPCon lines and is projected to rise to 86 % over the next decade. Edge‑passivation technologies are also gaining traction as a route to higher cell efficiencies.

What it means for Israel

For Israeli homeowners, the global stability in module supply means that the steady flow of 706 GW of panels should keep local availability strong, even as spot prices nudged up 9 % in 2025. Using the typical Israeli figures (residential tariff ≈ ₪0.48/kWh, install cost ≈ ₪3,150/kWp, central‑region yield ≈ 1,700 kWh/kWp / yr), a 10 kWp rooftop system would generate about 17,000 kWh per year, worth roughly ₪8,160 in electricity savings. At a ₪31,500 upfront cost, the simple payback is ≈3.9 years, well within the 25‑year module lifetime. If the modest price rebound from 2025 passes to Israeli installers, the payback could stretch to about 4.3 years, still attractive for most households. Moreover, the decline in silver usage (to ~10 mg/W) is expected to lower module material costs, which could translate into cheaper panels for Israeli projects in the next few years.

Outlook to 2030 and beyond

The ITRPV roadmap foresees continued scaling of large‑format factories, deeper data transparency, and the rise of intelligent manufacturing assistance. With tandem silicon cells slated for mass production after 2027 and a projected double‑digit market share within a decade, the technology mix will diversify, potentially driving efficiencies that further compress module prices. For Israel, these global trends align with the national target of 30 % renewable electricity by 2030, offering a reliable supply base for the next wave of rooftop and utility‑scale solar deployments.

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Sources & further reading

• ITRPV Sees PV Shipments Stabilize At 706 GW In 2025 - TaiyangNews
• [PDF] Annual Supply Chain for Photovoltaics (ASC-PV) in the United States
• [PDF] Renewable power generation costs in 2023 - IRENA
• [PDF] deep dive - on critical raw materials for - JRC Publications - European Union
• [PDF] Impact assessment of tracking and bifacial PV on... - SSRN eLibrary