Total copper use in renewable-based and distributed electricity generation is thought to constitute a 158 kt market for copper in 2010. As a whole, this is expected to be one of the few big growth areas for copper over the next decade, with more than 300 ktpy being added to consumption.
By far the largest of the renewable-based markets, and the fastest growing, is wind power. Solar power is also important, mainly in photovoltaics, although significant growth is expected also in concentrating solar power.
By component sector group, the market is fairly equally split between turbines/generators, transformers/inverters and cables, although other equipment, especially power electronics, is also important. Energy cable and winding wire dominate the product mix used in this market sector.
Figure 74: Renewables-Based Generation Market for Copper by Type (kt Cu)
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