Nuying Huang, Taipei; Jackie Chang

 

As government incentives shift focus to rooftop installations, many international solar firms have been targeting this type of installation in recent years. Governments such as those in Germany and Italy have been making cuts in incentives for solar power farms, but the incentives for rooftop systems remain.

Large-size solar power farms have been dwindling ever since Spain made huge incentive cuts in 2008. The government in Italy also made similar cuts to large-size solar systems.

The solar market has been transferring targets to rooftop installations for households. However, the difference in sizes for rooftop and solar power farm installations is huge.

Industry sources pointed out that many think downstream system vendors have been benefiting from the rapid price decrease of solar products in the second quarter. However, obstacles lie in the changes in demand which are hardly recognized. The marketing strategy for solar power farm and individual household customers needs to be very different.