By Evolution Solar Sunshine Coast
Results released from NPD Solarbuzz and IHS has shown the top 10 solar module suppliers in 2012 as well as the global solar installation capacity. They show the highest figures on record.
Solarbuzz say that Yingli Green Energy were the number 1 suppliers in 2012 with an annual shipment of 2.2GWs worth of solar panels. This is the highest annual shipment on record for any single solar module supplier.
Seven of the ten solar suppliers are public-listed manufacturers based in China. First Solar came in at the number 2 spot. They are the only thin-film solar supplier on the list. This was a big win for the company who started supplying modules for internal projects as opposed to external customers. The other big news of the top ten was JA Solar who placed fifteenth in 2011 and now placed eighth, only a year later.
Solarbuzz analyst, Ray Lian said “Although financial reports of most suppliers were damaged by the effects of continually declining ASPs, some of them successfully expanded their market share.”
The top 10 still only account for less than 50% of the global demand for solar panels. This means that the market is still wide open and anyone’s for the taking. With forecasts showing a growing market, it will be interesting to see who climbs up the list.
IHS (a global information company) reported that global installations hit a record high in 2012 of around 32GW. 2011 and 2010 showed 28GW and 20GW respectively. With solar prices expected to continue to fall, it is forecasted that each year will continue to be better than the last, (as shown in the graph on the right). Already 2013 is said by many to exceed levels reached in 2012.
The market will also have to adapt in 2013. With annual revenues for solar suppliers around the world predicted to continue falling, weaker companies are likely to fall out. Despite individual annual figures dropping, IHS is predicting combined solar pv revenue to rise over $100 billion between 2014-2016 and reach as much as $115 billion by 2016.
The growth in the unsubsidized solar market shows that people are keen to install solar around the world. Most are supplying their own clean, renewable energy at a cost that is less than what the power companies are producing electricity for and they are reducing or completely eliminating their power bills. Install solar and don’t be the last one left drawing expensive power from the grid.
