United Kingdom Solar Encapsulation Market Overview, 2030

The solar encapsulation sector in the United Kingdom is influenced by its coastal climate, which includes high humidity, regular rain, and less sunlight than many other areas. These weather factors prioritize durability and resistance to moisture as key requirements for encapsulants. Unlike dry or desert regions where UV stability is the main focus, the UK faces challenges related to avoiding water infiltration, delamination, and possible corrosion of solar cells over extended service periods. Thus, innovations in encapsulants mainly concentrate on moisture-resistant formulas and strengthened edge seals that can endure years of wet conditions while maintaining module performance. The UK solar market fueled by utility-scale projects and numerous rooftop systems strongly depended on ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) as the primary encapsulation choice. However, earlier versions of EVA films frequently encountered issues with acid release and acetic acid formation, which led to the corrosion of interconnects and early failures in modules. This prompted a transition toward low-yellowing EVA options and improved formulations that offer better UV and hydrolytic stability. Simultaneously, edge-seal design became crucial for reducing moisture infiltration at the edges of modules. These innovations have significantly enhanced the dependability of modules and have helped secure funding in a marketplace where validating bankability and long-term performance is essential. Looking to the future, R&D efforts in the UK are increasingly focusing on next-gen solar technologies, especially perovskite solar cells and tandem designs. Perovskites are very responsive to moisture and heat, necessitating that encapsulants for this technology allow for lamination at low temperatures and provide exceptional barrier properties. Collaborative research among universities, material manufacturers, and pilot facilities is actively examining hybrid encapsulation systems meant to stabilize perovskites for commercial use.

According to the research report, ""United Kingdom Solar Encapsulation Market Overview, 2030,"" published by Bonafide Research, the United Kingdom Solar Encapsulation market is anticipated to add to more than USD 90 Million by 2025–30. The need for encapsulation materials in the UK is primarily influenced by its market for rooftop upgrades and the increasing use of building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) in commercial properties, warehouses, and logistics hubs. Due to the scarcity of land for large-scale utility projects, the British solar industry has historically focused on distributed energy generation, particularly enhancements on existing roofs where the toughness of the encapsulant and the convenience of lamination are essential for both performance and economic feasibility. Concurrently, the rise in BIPV installations at warehouse scale showcases the sustainability goals of logistics companies and governmental support for incorporating solar energy into city infrastructure. These particular applications require encapsulants that function effectively in damp and mild coastal climates, ensuring minimal water vapor passage and solid adhesion to avoid delamination over long periods. A key emerging theme is the creation of laminates compatible with perovskite, which are increasingly significant in the UK given its robust academic and pilot manufacturing environment. Perovskite solar cells need low-temperature encapsulation and high-barrier characteristics due to their vulnerability to heat and moisture. This opens doors for innovative EVA formulations, polyolefin elastomers (POE), and multilayer hybrid laminates designed to stabilize perovskite and tandem solar cells. Although perovskite technology is still in an early commercial stage, encapsulant manufacturers and academic institutions are proactively preparing to support this innovation wave. The competitive environment includes module importers, regional assemblers, and major global suppliers, with the latter delivering high-quality encapsulant films customized for the specific conditions of the UK. Importers typically depend on certified supply chains to guarantee that modules fulfill bankability standards.

In the solar encapsulation sector of the UK by materials is divided into Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA), Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU), Polyvinyl Butyral (PVB), Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), Ionomer and Polyolefin, EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate) remains the top choice as it holds a significant position, especially in traditional crystalline modules and rooftop upgrades. Its affordability, dependable adhesion, and adaptability with various lamination machinery make it the go-to option for installers and module distributors working on both residential and commercial upgrade projects. Developments in low-acetic-acid, low-yellowing EVA variants have also tackled previous concerns regarding durability, which is crucial in the UK's moist and unpredictable coastal weather. Manufacturers are increasingly producing EVA films specifically designed for improved moisture resistance and optical stability, ensuring lasting performance in the diffused light often experienced in northern regions. POE (polyolefin elastomers) is on the rise, particularly in bifacial modules utilized in large-scale projects and high-end rooftop installations. Bifacial designs are appealing in the UK since they maximize energy output from limited installation areas, while POE’s excellent resistance to potential-induced degradation (PID) and improved UV longevity make it suitable for these setups. Although POE is pricier than EVA, its effectiveness in enhancing reliability and maintaining clarity in bifacial glass-glass modules makes it a worthy option where investors require greater assurance and durability. A unique market segment in the UK is the use of PVB (polyvinyl butyral) in heritage-appropriate BIPV façades, mainly for projects involving listed structures and architectural upgrades. Due to the UK’s strict regulations concerning historic buildings, PVB is appreciated for its visual clarity, structural adhesion, and integration into laminated safety glass, allowing architects to add photovoltaics to façades without altering the visual appeal of historical sites. This situation illustrates how the choice of encapsulant is influenced not only by technical aspects but also by aesthetic, regulatory, and urban integration concerns.

Within the solar sector of the UK by technology is divided into Crystalline Silicon Solar and Thin-Film Solar, crystalline silicon technology is predominantly utilized, representing the bulk of rooftop modifications, warehouse setups, and utility-connected systems. Monocrystalline panels, in particular, are preferred due to their excellent efficiency, proven reliability, and suitability for current lamination processes. Given the limited land resources in the UK and high energy generation demands per square meter, the efficiency of crystalline panels makes them a highly trusted choice. Along with established supply chains and attractive price points, the need for crystalline encapsulants continues to focus on EVA as the primary standard, while POE is increasingly incorporated into bifacial crystalline modules aimed at high-end rooftops and utility-scale projects that require superior durability and protection against potential-induced degradation in moist environments. In contrast, thin-film technologies are still relatively rare in the UK but are gaining interest for flexible and integrated architectural uses, notably in innovative window-integrated photovoltaics (PV). The advantages of thin-film include its lighter weight, flexibility, and opportunities for semi-transparent designs, which appeal to modern architecture and are useful for updating historical buildings where traditional rigid crystalline panels might not fit. The encapsulation needs for thin-film vary from those of crystalline, typically depending on unique barrier films and edge sealing to guard against moisture entry, crucial because of the UK's coastal weather. These technologies are currently being evaluated through pilot programs for flexible window PV and urban facades, where both visual appeal and structural integration are equally important as energy output. Thus, the UK’s encapsulant needs are primarily fulfilled by crystalline widespread use, ensuring efficiency and cost benefits, while thin-film represents a focused innovation segment aimed at urban integration, adaptability, and transparent PV options.

In the UK, the demand for encapsulation by application is divided into Ground-mounted, Building-integrated photovoltaic, Floating photovoltaic and Others (Automotive, Construction, and Electronics) is influenced by various application sectors, each displaying distinct regional and regulatory factors. Ground-mounted installations in rural areas continue to be a crucial segment, especially in places like the Midlands and southern England, where agricultural land and open spaces accommodate solar parks that supply power to the national grid. Encapsulants used in these solar arrays need to endure constant moisture, low angles of sunlight, and frequent changes in temperature. EVA is commonly employed, with increasing adoption of POE in bifacial configurations that enhance output per acre. At the same time, BIPV (building-integrated photovoltaics) is becoming more popular in London and other metropolitan areas, particularly in high-rise buildings and major commercial structures, where aspects like façades, curtain walls, and rooftops are being updated with solar-active materials. In this context, encapsulants such as PVB and tailored POE mixtures contribute by providing optical clarity, structural adhesion, and compatibility with glass building systems. This market is heavily affected by the UK’s targets for net-zero emissions and eco-friendly mandates for new constructions, positioning BIPV as one of the most innovative fields in encapsulation technology. Floating PV systems are also surfacing, with trial projects in water bodies like reservoirs and utility-owned lakes in England and Scotland. The benefit of these systems includes reducing land-use conflicts and enhancing module performance via natural cooling effects. For these systems, encapsulants are required to have outstanding moisture resistance and long-term hydrostatic pressure resilience, with enhanced edge-sealing technologies ensuring module longevity in aquatic environments. UK is exploring solar integration in IoT devices, including sensors, smart meters, and small-scale urban transit gadgets.

Considered in this report
• Historic Year: 2019
• Base year: 2024
• Estimated year: 2025
• Forecast year: 2030

Aspects covered in this report
• Solar Encapsulation Market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Materials
• Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA)
• Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU)
• Polyvinyl Butyral (PVB)
• Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)
• Ionomer
• Polyolefin

By Technology
• Crystalline Silicon Solar
• Thin-Film Solar

By Application
• Ground-mounted
• Building-integrated photovoltaic
• Floating photovoltaic
• Others (Automotive, Construction, and Electronics) Show more