Global Solar Frame Market Poised for Robust Growth Amid Policy Shifts and Technological Advancements

Market projected to reach $7.6 billion in 2025 with 8.5% CAGR through 2030, driven by massive PV installation surge and industry consolidation

Published: June 30, 2025

The global solar frame market is experiencing unprecedented growth momentum, with industry analysts projecting the market to reach $7.6 billion in 2025 and maintain a robust compound annual growth rate of 8.5% through 2030. This expansion comes as photovoltaic installations worldwide have surged dramatically from 117 GW in 2019 to 375 GW in 2024, with projections indicating continued acceleration to 402 GW in 2025 and 540 GW by 2028.

China Dominates Global Market Landscape

China continues to assert its dominance in the solar frame sector, commanding approximately 60% of the global market share. This leadership position is reinforced by massive capacity expansions from leading manufacturers, particularly Yonz Technology, which has emerged as the world's largest solar frame producer.

In a significant development, Yonz Technology expanded its production capacity from 240,000 tons to 690,000 tons in 2024 through the commissioning of its 270,000-ton Wuhu facility and an 180,000-ton Vietnam production base. The company's ambitious expansion plans continue into 2025 with a planned 100GW aluminum alloy frame project in Inner Mongolia, equivalent to approximately 500,000 tons of additional capacity.

Aluminum Alloy Frames Maintain Market Supremacy

Despite growing interest in alternative materials, aluminum alloy frames continue to dominate the market with over 95% market share. Industry experts attribute this dominance to aluminum's proven track record of superior performance characteristics, including high strength, excellent corrosion resistance, superior electrical conductivity, and ease of transportation and installation.

The material's 30-50 year lifespan significantly exceeds the standard 20-25 year photovoltaic module requirements, while offering exceptional recyclability with economic recovery rates reaching 83.9%. This compares favorably to steel frames at 22.8% recovery rates and composite materials that present recycling challenges.

Emerging Materials Face Adoption Hurdles

While glass fiber reinforced composite frames present theoretical advantages including lower weight and reduced manufacturing costs, their market penetration remains limited. Key industry players including Zhejiang Zhenshi New Materials Co. Ltd. (8,100-ton capacity), Jiangsu Worldlight New Material Co. Ltd. (2GW capacity with plans to expand to 40GW), and Zhejiang Deyilong Technology Co. Ltd. (8GW capacity with expansion plans to 50GW) are working to address technical compatibility issues and long-term durability concerns.

Industry analysts note that composite materials face significant challenges in harsh environmental conditions, particularly regarding aging resistance and mechanical load-bearing capabilities over extended periods. The 20-25 year warranty requirements from leading module manufacturers create additional barriers to widespread adoption of unproven materials.

Policy Transformation Reshapes Industry Dynamics

The Chinese photovoltaic industry is undergoing a fundamental transformation following the implementation of two critical policy milestones in early 2025: the "430" and "531" New Policies. These regulations mark the industry's transition from policy-driven to market-driven growth, fundamentally altering project revenue models and corporate strategies.

The "430" New Policy, effective April 30, 2025, established a clear demarcation between legacy projects eligible for feed-in tariffs and new projects operating under market-based rules. Projects connected before this date continue to benefit from higher subsidized electricity prices, while subsequent installations must operate under self-consumption or partial grid-feed models.

The "531" New Policy, implemented May 31, 2025, completed the transition by requiring all new distributed photovoltaic projects to participate in electricity spot market trading, effectively ending the subsidy era. This policy shift has accelerated the adoption of energy storage systems and intelligent monitoring technologies as standard project components.

Market Opportunities and Strategic Implications

The policy transformation has triggered an unprecedented installation rush as developers race to secure projects under favorable legacy terms. This "rush installation" phenomenon has created both opportunities and challenges for solar frame manufacturers.

Key Market Opportunities:

Capacity Expansion Surge: The installation rush has created immediate demand spikes, benefiting manufacturers with flexible production capabilities and strong supply chain management.

Technology Premium: The shift toward self-consumption models and grid market participation has increased demand for high-efficiency modules, driving preference for premium frame solutions with superior mechanical properties.

Geographic Diversification: Southern China's economically developed regions, including the Yangtze River Delta and Pearl River Delta, have emerged as priority development areas due to strong grid capacity and consumption conditions.

Storage Integration: The mandatory adoption of energy storage systems creates opportunities for frame manufacturers to develop integrated solutions supporting combined photovoltaic-storage installations.

Industry Challenges and Risk Factors

Supply Chain Pressure: The installation rush has intensified raw material competition, particularly for high-grade aluminum alloys, creating cost pressure and potential supply bottlenecks.

Quality Assurance Demands: The elimination of subsidies has heightened focus on long-term performance and reliability, increasing quality standards and testing requirements for frame manufacturers.

Regional Market Fragmentation: Northern regions with high photovoltaic penetration rates face grid connection challenges, limiting growth opportunities and creating uneven market development patterns.

Technology Transition Costs: The industry's shift toward market-based operations requires significant investments in intelligent monitoring systems, demand forecasting capabilities, and storage integration technologies.

Future Market Outlook

Industry experts anticipate continued market consolidation as companies with advanced technology and strong financial capabilities capture increasing market share. The emphasis on self-consumption optimization and grid market participation is expected to drive demand for high-performance frame solutions with enhanced durability and aesthetic appeal.

The building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) segment represents a particular growth opportunity, where aesthetic considerations and harsh environmental conditions favor advanced composite materials despite their current technical limitations.

As the global energy transition accelerates and technological capabilities advance, the solar frame market is positioned for sustained growth, though success will increasingly depend on manufacturers' ability to adapt to market-driven dynamics while maintaining the quality and reliability standards essential for long-term industry development.

The transformation from subsidy-dependent to market-competitive operations marks a new chapter for the solar frame industry, one that promises greater efficiency, innovation, and sustainable growth patterns aligned with global renewable energy objectives.