SOLAR PANEL MAKERS BUSY, INSTALLERS NOT SO MUCH

Solar cell production seen growing 56 percent in 2009
Laura Isensee (w/Robert MacMillan), August 11, 2009 (Reuters)

"Solar cell manufacturing capacity will grow 56 percent in 2009 despite weakened demand for renewable energy projects in the face of tight credit markets and a global economic recession, a report…[from] research group DisplaySearch said.

"The report predicts that cell manufacturing capacity will reach 17 gigawatts this year and will surpass 42 GW by 2013, growing at a rate of 49 percent per year…[Demand will shrink 17 percent in 2009…Oversupply will erode prices…Recovery will begin in 2011]…"

An iSuppli study affirms the DisplaySearch findings about supply hugely outstripping demand. (click to enlarge)

"Expansion projects that were previously committed are driving the growth in capacity despite falling demand, the report said. From January 2008 to July 2009,
about 11.4 GW of new solar cell capacity was installed worldwide."

An iSuppli study also affirms the DisplaySearch findings about when the market will come back. (click to enlarge)

"The report named U.S.-based company First Solar Inc as the largest solar cell manufacturer with more than 1 GW of capacity. Germany's Q-Cells AG and China's Suntech Power Holdings Co Ltd come in second.

"By 2013, these companies and China's JA Solar Holdings Co Ltd, Taiwan's Motech Industries Inc, Norway's Renewable Energy Corp, U.S.-based SunPower Corp, China's Yingli Green Energy Holding Co Ltd, and Japan's Showa Shell Sekiyu KK and Sharp Corp may be among the top 10 makers, with more than 16 GW, or 38 percent, of total capacity in 2013…"