Photovoltaic Trends 2026: Innovation, New Niches and a Transforming Market

The photovoltaic sector is facing 2026 as a key year of transition and technological consolidation. After a decade of accelerated growth, the solar industry is entering a new phase shaped by cost optimisation, application specialisation, and innovation in materials and manufacturing processes.

Technologies such as floating photovoltaics, agrivoltaics, solar mobility, space-based solar energy, and advanced PV system integration are opening up new market niches. At the same time, advances such as perovskite solar cells—a material that is revolutionising the sector due to its high efficiency and lower production costs—are emerging as one of the main efficiency drivers for the next decade.

In this context, understanding the photovoltaic trends for 2026 is essential to anticipate the evolution of the global solar energy market.

Overview of the photovoltaic sector in 2026

Solar market in China: a year of transition

In 2026, China will remain the main player in the photovoltaic market, although growth is expected to be more moderate following the significant production slowdown experienced in 2025. This transition period may be accompanied by:

• Increases in solar module prices
• Pressure on raw material costs
• Fiscal changes, such as the removal of export VAT rebates

These factors are reducing part of the country’s competitive advantage and accelerating the reconfiguration of the global solar supply chain.

Solar market in Europe: first contraction after a decade

In 2025, the European solar market experienced its first contraction in almost ten years, following a period of rapid expansion. This adjustment marks the end of an exceptional growth cycle and the beginning of a more selective phase, where quality, productivity, and efficiency of European solar assembly lines will be more critical than ever.

Solar market in the United States: impact of government changes

In the United States, changes in government in 2025 led to a reconfiguration of the energy framework, affecting the pace of investment in renewables. Looking ahead to 2026, the US solar market faces a scenario of regulatory uncertainty that will influence industrial and strategic decision-making.

How will costs evolve in the photovoltaic sector?

The most relevant factor for 2026 may be a moderate increase in costs after several years of decline. Forecasts point to increases driven by higher raw material prices and fiscal measures in China, such as the removal of export VAT rebates—a change that directly impacts the global photovoltaic supply chain and the competitiveness of Asian manufacturers.

Despite this context, technological innovation in the solar industry will remain a key driver. The efficiency of photovoltaic cells will continue to improve, particularly through the combination of silicon and perovskite-based technologies, which are beginning to consolidate as one of the most relevant technological advances shaping the future of solar energy over the next decade.

Key Photovoltaic Trends in 2026

Material changes in photovoltaics: efficiency, cost and sustainability

Perovskite and tandem cells: the major leap in efficiency

In 2026, innovation in materials and manufacturing processes will continue to shape the evolution of the photovoltaic sector. In terms of materials, the momentum behind perovskite-based cells will continue, including perovskite–silicon tandem architectures, which are moving towards greater industrial maturity.

Their appeal lies in their ability to make better use of the solar spectrum, overcoming some of the physical limitations of conventional silicon. As a result, these architectures offer:

• Significant efficiency gains, with the potential to surpass current silicon limits
• Lower cost per watt, by generating more energy from the same surface area
• New module design possibilities, both for conventional applications and advanced integration

Reducing the use of silver and alternative materials in solar manufacturing

In parallel, the photovoltaic industry is actively working to reduce the use of critical materials, particularly silver, one of the components with the greatest impact on both cost and environmental footprint in solar cells.

This reduction will be achieved through new metallization pastes, alternative material formulations and more efficient deposition techniques. The goal is to lower costs and improve scalability in photovoltaic manufacturing.

Advanced automation and new photovoltaic cell architectures

The technological evolution of the photovoltaic sector in 2026 does not depend solely on new materials, but also on the ability of production lines to adapt to increasingly complex cell architectures. Within this trend, two key challenges stand out:

• Deposition of active layers for perovskite-based technologies:
  The industrialisation of perovskite cells requires more stable, uniform and scalable deposition processes suitable for mass production.
• Evolution of back contact cells and adaptation of assembly processes:
  The gradual adoption of back contact cells will require new interconnection solutions, greater precision in cell handling, and adjustments to stringing and lay-up processes.

Together, these technologies have the potential to increase module efficiency and redefine the design of future solar manufacturing lines.

Experience and know-how: a key competitive advantage

In a highly demanding sector such as photovoltaics, industrial experience and accumulated technical knowledge provide a real competitive advantage. Companies with a strong background in solar panel manufacturing benefit from three key strengths.

Technical expertise and quality control

Years of research, line implementation and process optimisation enable more efficient, stable and competitive production. This combination of expertise and continuous improvement translates into higher module performance, durability and reliability.

Continuous innovation and investment in R&D

Companies with a strategic vision maintain a constant commitment to innovation, integrating advanced technologies such as back contact cells, high-efficiency PV solutions, and emerging materials. This effort accelerates the adoption of solutions that will define the next decade.

Ability to deliver complex projects

Mondragon Assembly is a clear example of how industrial experience and technical know-how become a true competitive advantage. With more than 25 years of experience in high value-added applications for the photovoltaic sector, the company has established itself as a European reference in PV engineering and automation, capable of translating innovation into real industrial environments.

Recent contributions include the development of production lines for agrivoltaic panels, such as the first photovoltaic manufacturing line for agrivoltaic applications developed in Greece for Brite Solar, as well as solutions for lightweight structural panels aimed at architectural integration and mobility.

Challenges and opportunities for the future of the photovoltaic sector

The photovoltaic sector operates in a complex global environment, where technological, regulatory and geopolitical challenges coexist with new growth opportunities.

Geopolitics and international regulation

Regulatory variability between regions and trade policies influence global competitiveness. Import restrictions, local content incentives and market tensions can reshape supply chains and accelerate industrial relocation.

Sustainability and the manufacturing process

Although solar energy is one of the cleanest technologies within the energy mix, photovoltaic module manufacturing still involves high energy consumption and waste generation—particularly in stages such as silicon purification, a process required to obtain high-purity silicon for solar cells and one that demands high temperatures and intensive energy use.

The industry is working to reduce this impact through more efficient processes and materials with a lower environmental footprint.

Limitations of critical materials

Global scalability is closely linked to the availability of materials such as silicon, silver and other critical metals. The search for alternatives, consumption optimisation and the development of technologies with lower material dependency will be essential for sustained growth.

New market niches

Innovation not only improves solar panel efficiency and competitiveness—it also opens the door to new emerging niches, including:

• Agrivoltaics
• Integrated electric and solar mobility
• Space-based solar energy
• Advanced PV integration in construction and industry

Collaboration and strategic partnerships

In a context of geopolitical uncertainty, collaboration between companies, technology centres and governments will be essential. The trend towards regional production and compliance with local content policies can create opportunities for both manufacturers and technology providers.

What will the future of solar energy look like in 2026?

En un mercado global en constante cambio, las empresas que combinan innovación tecnológica, In a constantly changing global market, companies that combine technological innovation, industrial experience, and adaptability will be the ones leading the photovoltaic industry in 2026 and beyond.

Experience provides the confidence needed to comply with regulations across different regions and manage diversified supply chains; innovation sets the pace for leading the energy transition with more efficient, sustainable and future-ready solutions.

Despite global challenges, solar energy remains one of the greatest opportunities to move towards a cleaner and more secure energy model. Every global challenge is also an invitation to collaborate, grow and lead the photovoltaic industry of tomorrow.

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