Solar Control Glass Market Size & Share Analysis - Trends, Drivers, Competitive Landscape, and Forecasts (2025 - 2032)

Solar Control Glass Market Trends and Growth Drivers

Green Buildings Driving Solar Control Films Market Growth

• A key trend in the solar control films market is the rise of green or net-zero energy buildings (NZEBs).
• These buildings are designed to reduce energy consumption by using proper insulation, smart appliances, energy-efficient lighting, and on-site power generation.
• Their main goal is to cut down on fossil fuel use and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Many countries have developed certifications for green buildings, offering financial incentives and policy benefits to owners, developers, and managers.
• The World Green Building Council (WGBC) works with governments and global organizations to set standards for these buildings and update them over time.
• One of the biggest energy consumers in buildings is the HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system.
• To reduce energy use and maintain a comfortable indoor temperature, it is important to find ways to support the HVAC system.
• Solar control films are becoming a popular solution, as they limit the amount of sunlight and heat that enters through windows, helping reduce the workload on air conditioning systems.

Reducing Energy Costs and Carbon Footprint Drives Demand

• The need to lower energy costs and carbon footprints is another major factor fueling the growth of the solar control films market.
• The World Bank's Energy Price Index increased by 26.3% between January 2022 and April 2022, hinting at growing concern about high electricity bills.
• Solar control films help by reducing the amount of heat that enters a building, which in turn lowers the need for cooling or heating systems.
• This not only saves on energy costs but also reduces carbon emissions.
• Buildings are responsible for a significant portion of global carbon emissions—37% in 2022, according to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
• As temperatures rise, the demand for air conditioners and chillers increases, which leads to higher energy consumption and increased utility bills.
• Solar control films, typically made from plastic, are applied to windows to limit heat transfer.
• They help keep buildings cooler in the summer by blocking excess heat, and in the winter, they can reflect up to 35% of heat back into the room, reducing heat loss.
• These films are becoming an important part of making buildings more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.

Untapped Markets Offer Opportunities to Solar Control Glass Market

• A large number of untapped markets for solar control glass in developing countries has provided numerous chances for key players to fully realize its potential.
• The industry revenue is still in its infancy, notably in developing nations of Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Africa, despite significant progress in industrialized economies of Europe and in the U.S.
• Furthermore, in emerging economies, the growing construction sector and the surging emphasis on carbon emissions are driving the market.
• Also, major manufacturers in the industry have been investing in raw-material-rich countries, such as Morocco and other African nations, to gain a competitive edge.
• This strategy helps manufacturers to gain access to new markets and reduce production costs.

Solar Control Glass Market Analysis

Application Insights

The commercial buildings category holds the major market share, of 45%, in 2024. This is due to the rising industrialization across the world, leading to the construction of commercial spaces including malls, corporate spaces, industrial facilities, and others. The major share of the contribution industry is coming from countries like China, India, Japan, and others.

For instance, various government programs like the Make in India and other real-estate reforms like the implementation of the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) and GST have significantly strengthened the commercial real estate market in India. Developers and purchasers are relocating to the commercial real estate sector despite its initial difficulties because of the sector's transparency. This sector has also started attracting foreign direct investments in the commercial estate sector.

In addition, investors’ confidence is regained post-COVID-19 pandemic, due to the mass level of vaccination drive. Now with the opening up of offices, there is a surging requirement for building spaces. So, in order to meet the requirement, the demand for co-working spaces is rising, which, in turn, increases office leasing activity.

The automotive category is the fastest growing in the market on account of the rising vehicular pollution. Automobiles contribute up to 25% of the global GHG emissions, on average, and up to 45% in some countries. This has prompted governments to implement stringent norms for fuel economy and tailpipe emissions. Solar control glass can augment fuel-efficient engines and electric drivetrains in reducing energy consumption by better maintaining the temperature in the cabin.

These applications have been analyzed:

• Residential Buildings
• Commercial Buildings (Largest Category)
• Automobiles (Fastest-Growing Category)
• Others

Type Insights

The tempered glass category is the largest, and it is expected to witness the highest CAGR, of 10%, during the forecast period. This can be because this glass facilitates the ease of cleaning and high strength in comparison to other control glasses. As the glass has strength six times higher than the normal plate glass and it offers safety and strength at the same time, it is increasingly used in new constructions.

Instead of using conventional building materials, building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPVs) are increasingly being employed in the construction of new buildings, as the primary source of electrical power. They have applications across residential and commercial spaces, including on vertical and horizontal surfaces, which contribute to the spread of solar energy generation. Furthermore, the market will see more potential due to the recent improvements and advancements in BIPV products, such as colored, transparent, and insulated BIPV windows.

The report offers insights into these types:

• Tempered (Largest and Fastest-Growing Category)
• Laminated
• Float
• Heat-Strengthened
• Others

Coating Method Insights

Hard-coated solar control glass holds the larger share, of 70%, as it helps in regulating the energy flow and helps in reducing the amount of heat entering the buildings and keeps places cooler and brighter. Thus, this category dominates the industry. Generally, solar control glass is coated with superior materials, which absorb ultraviolet wavelengths and reflect the infrared radiations of solar energy. Hence, the decrease in energy transfer can reduce the use of air conditioning and give a lower peak temperature in buildings as well as in cars.

As per data, buildings are responsible for 40% of global energy consumption and 33% of greenhouse gas emissions. Countries are developing their own policies and framework to make buildings energy efficient. For instance, in Europe, around 75% of the building stocks are energy efficient and the country is actively involved in policies and measures toward sustainable buildings. With the rise in the number of energy-efficient buildings, hard-coated solar panels are increasingly preferred, which contribute to energy savings.

The soft-coated category is growing faster in the market on account of the better thermal insulation and energy efficiency this variant provides. Its metallic coating allows light to pass, while restricting the entry of heat. This is driving its usage in buildings designed to be certified ‘green’, as well as automobiles.

The report offers insights into the following coating methods:

• Hard-Coated (Larger Category)
• Soft-Coated (Faster-Growing Category)

Solar Control Glass Market Geographical Outlook

Europe is the largest market for solar control glass, accounting for more than 40% revenue share in 2021. This is attributed to the strict government regulations for carbon emissions and the rise in the usage of solar control glass in various applications such as commercial and residential buildings in the region. For instance, the European Commission is focusing on the proposal to meet climate neutrality by 2050.

The majority of the technology needed to decarbonize the construction industry is already in use. In order to meet the objectives, there is a need to invest in solar control glass in order to focus on energy-efficient practices and the proportion of homes using renewable heating sources would require to rise from the current 35% to 100%.

Moreover, the European market is growing, due to the requirement of renovating existing buildings and developing new commercial spaces with a focus on reducing carbon emissions. Further, legal requirements for new cars in the European Union to reduce emissions are projected to have a beneficial effect on the demand for solar control glass.

In the region, Germany has the largest market share, majorly driven by the increasing demand for the product from the construction and automobile sectors, and the country is focusing on energy-efficient measures. Also, it has a higher production of solar power energy and the government has supported the new solar control window film technology to be implemented in the country, to reduce energy costs and carbon footprint.

APAC will witness the highest CAGR, of 12%, during the forecast period, primarily on account of the growth of the construction industry. With the increasing emissions, regional governments are promoting sustainable practices, including green buildings. Further, the usage of solar control glass in the commercial and residential buildings in the region is rising as UV radiation causes the color of furnishings and fabrics to fade. Hence, a rising population with a preference for aesthetics and style is going for these materials in their homes, hotels, and offices.

The same reasons are driving the usage of solar control glass in the regional automotive sector. China, India, Japan, and South Korea are among the largest automotive manufacturers and buyers in the world. With the increasing disposable income of consumers, they are purchasing vehicles that offer higher comfort and convenience. Solar control glass is presently offered majorly by luxury OEMs, but seeing its rising popularity, makers of economy and mid-segment cars are also integrating it into their newer models.

Here is the geographical breakdown of the market:

• North America
  • U.S. (Larger and Faster-Growing Country Market)
  • Canada
• Europe (Largest Regional Market)
  • Germany (Largest and Fastest-Growing Country Market)
  • France
  • U.K.
  • Spain
  • Italy
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia-Pacific (APAC) (Fastest-Growing Regional Market)
  • China (Largest Country Market)
  • Japan
  • India (Fastest-Growing Country Market)
  • Australia
  • South Korea
  • Rest of APAC
• Latin America (LATAM)
  • Brazil (Largest Country Market)
  • Mexico (Fastest-Growing Country Market)
  • Rest of LATAM
• Middle East and Africa (MEA)
  • South Africa
  • Saudi Arabia (Largest and Fastest-Growing Country Market)
  • U.A.E.
  • Rest of MEA

Solar Control Glass Market Share

The market is fragmented due to the presence of a large number of international, regional, and local companies. The lack of the requirement for technical expertise and huge capital for solar control glass production presents low entry barriers for companies. Moreover, a wide variety of products are available for different industries, thereby fragmenting the market. While major real estate developers and automotive OEMs generally purchase from established companies in bulk, automotive garages, customization shops, and individual construction contractors buy from small, local player.

Solar Control Glass Market News

• In September 2024, Guardian Industries Holdings entered into an agreement with Privacy Glass Solutions to commercialize the Lyto automated micro-shade technology. Designed to be used between the glass on doors, windows, privacy glazing in bedrooms and bathrooms, entry doors, and skylights, to provide a complete blackout, the product is marketed to hospitals, educational institutions, and other spaces where privacy is paramount.
• In April 2024, AGC Inc. obtained Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for the architectural float glass it produces at its Kashima plant.
• In February 2024, Compagnie de Saint-Gobain S.A. signed an agreement to acquire CSR Limited, an Australian producer of light and sustainable construction materials, for an enterprise value of AUD 4.5 billion (EUR 2.7 billion).
• In December 2023, SCHOTT AG invested a double-digit million amount to expand its R&D center in Landshut.