Global solar installations increased 20% to reach 8.5GW in the second quarter of 2013, according to market research firm, IHS. Shipments in the first quarter were 7.1GW.
According to IHS, global PV module revenues increased to US$7.2 billion, up from US$6.2 billion in the previous quarter.
Stefan de Haan, principal analyst for solar at IHS said, “This is the highest revenue since the fourth quarter of 2011 and even exceeded the IHS prediction of US$7.0 billion. As we had anticipated at the end of last year, the second quarter of 2013 marked the turnaround of global module markets.”
Robust end-markets and slightly increasing prices and margins characterised the second-quarter, said IHS.
IHS noted that is was reiterating its forecast that many module manufacturers would return to profitability during the course of 2013.
The market research form believes that the high production, shipment, and revenue levels reached in the second quarter can be maintained.
However, continued strong expansions are believed to be unlikely as growth will be flat in the third quarter. Yet the fourth quarter is expected to remain strong and should experience ‘moderate upward movement,’ according to IHS.
