Global PV Panel Production to Grow by 92% in 2010, eclipse 15 GW According to GTM Research’s Latest PV Report

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Global solar photovoltaics (PV) panel production will eclipse 15 GW this year according to GTM Research’s latest report, PV Technology, Production and Cost Outlook: 2010–2015. While subsidy cuts in key markets will lead to slower growth in 2011 and beyond, panel production will still exceed 25 GW by 2013. At the same time, increasing competition between suppliers will lead to panel prices of less than $1/watt by 2012 for select technologies.

“Over the past 18 months, we have witnessed the global PV industry become more complex and dynamic than ever before”

Spanning nearly 300 pages with over 225 data-rich exhibits, PV Technology, Production and Cost Outlook: 2010–2015 covers the entire PV supply chain, from polysilicon production, to wafer, cell, and module manufacturing. In addition to forecasting production volumes and component prices, the report conducts an extensive examination of PV technology characteristics, producer-specific manufacturing costs, market dynamics, competitive positioning, and business model analysis.

“Over the past 18 months, we have witnessed the global PV industry become more complex and dynamic than ever before,” said Shyam Mehta, the report’s author and a Senior Solar Analyst at GTM Research. “The supply chain has been bombarded with opportunities from scaling demand, and the industry has responded to this competitive dynamic with new, low-cost technologies and more sophisticated business models.”

The industry’s increase in production capacity is also spurring global price competition between PV technologies. While First Solar boasted thin film panel costs of less than $1/watt in early 2010, PV Technology, Production and Cost Outlook: 2010–2015 forecasts the industry will reach its next economic milestone by 2012 when panel prices for the retail market will themselves fall below $1/watt.

“Our global pricing analysis projects higher-cost panel producers to come under significantly more pressure in 2011 as PV continues to become more commoditized and low-cost manufacturers such as First Solar and top-tier Chinese firms add more capacity,” said Mehta. “Whether it be through product differentiation, contract manufacturing, technology innovation, or vertical integration, higher-cost producers will have to develop differentiated business models to stay alive in the long term.”

As assessed in the report, the top 15 most successful firms in terms of panel production, manufacturing costs, efficiency, and bankability by 2013 are ranked below, along with the location of their corporate headquarters:


1.	First Solar (U.S.)	9.	Solar Frontier (Japan)
2.	Trina Solar (China)	10.	SunPower (U.S.)
3.	Yingli Green Energy (China)	11.	Sharp (Japan)
4.	Suntech Power (China)	12.	Canadian Solar (China)
5.	REC (Norway)	13.	EGing Photovoltaic Technology (China)
6.	Astronergy (China)	14.	Abound Solar (U.S.)
7.	Solibro GmbH (Germany)	15.	Solarfun (China)
8.	LDK Solar (China)

ABOUT THE REPORT

PV Technology, Production and Cost Outlook: 2010–2015 explores the competitive environment of the global PV supply chain and includes PV technology parameters, panel cost and pricing forecasts, facility- and manufacturer-specific capacities/production data as well as analysis of market dynamics and competitive positioning.

For detailed information about the report, priced individually at $2995.00, visit

http://www.gtmresearch.com/report/pv-technology-production-and-cost-outlook-2010-2015

About GTM Research and Greentech Media

GTM Research is the market research arm of Greentech Media, providing in-depth technology, economic and market analysis for the global renewable energy and electric power industries. Greentech Media is an integrated online media company designed to deliver the highest-quality content in the industry, whether it is news, research or critical networking events. Greentech Media is headquartered in Cambridge, Mass., with operations in New York City, San Francisco and Munich. For more information, visit http://www.greentechmedia.com.