aluminium expo
9-11 July 2025
Hall N1-N4, Shanghai New International Expo Center

aluminium expo | How much does the rise of the photovoltaic industry contribute to the aluminum consumption?

In recent years, the country's increasing emphasis on reducing energy consumption, with stricter policy standards, and further tightening of carbon emission quotas. The use of photovoltaic power generation can effectively reduce the carbon emissions of control and reduction enterprises. It is important to promote the substitution of clean energy, increase the proportion of applications such as photovoltaics, accelerate the promotion and application of advanced and applicable green and low-carbon technologies, and promote a continuous decrease in energy consumption per unit of product.

According to data from the aluminium expo, the domestic production of photovoltaic modules in 2022 reached 309 GW, while in 2023, module production reached nearly 400 GW, representing a year-on-year growth of nearly 30%. According to SMM data, the newly added photovoltaic installation capacity in 2023 increased by 31.6% to 115 GW. Therefore, based on the additional aluminum consumption for mounting structures, the aluminum used for mounting structures in 2023 is estimated to be approximately 863,000 tons, a 32% increase compared to 2022.

In total, the cumulative aluminum consumption in the photovoltaic industry amounted to approximately 2.843 million tons, with a total aluminum demand increasing by 640,000 tons, marking a 30% growth. In 2022, the total aluminum consumption was approximately 40.94 million tons, with the photovoltaic sector consuming 2.2 million tons, accounting for 5.4% of the total consumption. In 2023, it is expected that domestic aluminum consumption will reach approximately 41.45 million tons, with the photovoltaic sector consuming 2.843 million tons.

The 'Photovoltaic + Non-Ferrous Metals' projects enable the rapid grid connection and electricity generation of photovoltaic power stations. By considering various factors, including sunlight conditions, natural environment, supporting facilities, and subsequent operation and maintenance, the optimal grid connection solution is determined. Photovoltaic power stations generate surplus electricity for self-use and grid connection, which is used for production and domestic electricity consumption, resulting in significant ecological and economic benefits.

The concept of conserving resources and protecting the environment is integrated throughout the entire production process of photovoltaics, transforming production methods and enabling enterprises to achieve green transformation. This allows them to seize new opportunities in the photovoltaic market and contribute to achieving dual carbon goals.