Global Solar PV O&M Market Reaches 348 GW As Industry Consolidation Accelerates

Global Solar PV O&M Market Reaches 348 GW As Industry Consolidation Accelerates

The global solar photovoltaic industry continues to expand, and the growing number of installed solar projects is also creating a larger market for operations and maintenance (O&M) services.

 

According to new analysis from Wood Mackenzie, the global solar PV O&M market reached 348 GW of assessed capacity at the end of 2025, an increase of 61 GW compared with the previous year. The analysis covers more than 130 active O&M service providers across the Americas, Asia Pacific excluding China, and Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

 

 

Solar PV O&M Market Continues To Grow

As more solar power systems are installed around the world, maintaining their long-term performance has become an increasingly important part of the solar industry.

 

O&M services generally cover activities such as system monitoring, preventive maintenance, equipment inspection, fault response and performance management. These services help solar plant operators identify potential problems and maintain stable system operation over time.

 

The growth of the O&M market therefore reflects not only the expansion of new solar installations, but also the increasing amount of existing solar capacity that requires long-term management.

 

In 2025, the global O&M market added 61 GW of assessed capacity, reaching 348 GW by the end of the year.

 

Market Share Is Becoming More Concentrated

While the overall market is growing, the O&M industry is also becoming more concentrated among larger service providers.

 

The world's top 15 O&M vendors collectively added 41 GW to their portfolios in 2025. Their combined capacity under management reached approximately 200 GW, representing 57% of the assessed global market.

 

This suggests that scale is becoming increasingly important in the solar O&M business. Larger providers can manage projects across different regions and may have greater resources for monitoring systems, technical support and maintenance networks.

 

At the same time, smaller and regional companies continue to participate in the market, particularly in areas where solar development is creating new demand for local service capabilities.

 

Regional Markets Are Developing At Different Speeds

The global O&M market is not developing at the same pace everywhere.

 

North America is a relatively mature and competitive market. According to Wood Mackenzie, full-wrap O&M contract costs in the region fell 18% year on year, reflecting strong competition among service providers.

 

The situation is different in the Middle East and Africa. O&M volume in these regions nearly doubled during 2025, indicating a rapidly developing market and increasing demand for professional solar asset management.

 

These differences show that the solar O&M industry is being shaped by local market maturity, installed capacity, competition and the pace of new solar development.

 

Why O&M Is Becoming More Important For Solar Projects

Solar PV systems are designed for long operating lives, so their value depends not only on the initial installation but also on how well the equipment performs over time.

 

Regular monitoring and maintenance can help identify issues before they develop into larger problems. This is particularly important as solar projects become larger and operators manage assets across multiple locations.

 

For solar project owners, O&M is therefore becoming part of a broader focus on long-term asset performance rather than simply the initial construction of a solar power system.

 

A More Mature Solar Industry

The development of the global O&M market is another sign that the solar industry is moving into a more mature stage.

 

As installed solar capacity continues to grow, attention is gradually shifting from simply adding new projects toward maintaining, optimizing and managing the large number of systems already in operation.

 

The global solar PV O&M market reaching 348 GW in 2025 highlights the scale of this transition. At the same time, the growing concentration among major service providers and the different development patterns across regions show that the O&M sector is continuing to evolve.

 

For the solar industry as a whole, reliable long-term operation will remain an important part of turning installed capacity into stable and lasting renewable energy output.