A NEW GENERATION OF PV MANUFACTURING

20 GW of PV Manufacturing Equipment To Be Replaced By 2016
Tim Dawson, February 2012 (PV Group)

"Despite the outlook for the PV manufacturing equipment market remaining bleak in 2012, a new report from IMS Research forecasts that there could be a 20 GW opportunity for the upgrade or replacement of existing capacity over the next four years.

"…[R]evenue declines of over 65% are forecast for the PV manufacturing equipment market in 2012. However, a new opportunity has been identified as equipment vendors seek out new market bright spots in the industry."

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"Aging equipment requiring upgrade or complete replacement represents the biggest opportunity currently and this is where the majority of equipment revenues will come from in 2012…[T]his could provide a 20 GW opportunity for equipment suppliers, generating some $25 billion in revenues over the next four years.

"Ingot, wafer, cell and module makers are all placing less criticality on expanding production, and are instead focusing on increasing end-product quality and overall efficiencies. Utilization rates are at an all-time low and the current lull in new demand and capacity across the supply chain will provide a potential opportunity for PV-product makers to gain market share longer-term through upgrading equipment now…"