According to Greentech Media Research, 2009 was the most challenging year to date for the PV industry. Although, global PV cell production grew by 51% from 7.1GW in 2008 to 10.7GW in 2009 and PV panel production increased 41% to 8.9GW, many of the solar panels were produced in Germany during the third and fourth quarters of 2009.
“On one hand, you had severe oversupply and drastic price drops causing large losses, major layoffs, and consolidation all across the value chain. On the other hand, it was yet another record-breaking year in manufacturing thanks to Germany’s late surge: whereas in January, top manufacturers were reportedly running at factory utilizations of less than 20%, October through December saw the same companies’ supplies being completely sold out. To call it a volatile year would be an understatement,” noted GTM Research senior analyst Shyam Mehta.
China and Taiwan produced 50% of the cells last year, a drastic change from five years prior where European and Japanese firms combined to make up over three-fourths of the market. Crystalline silicon continues to have a dominating hand in the PV world, with a cell and panel production share of 81% and 78% respectively.
Thin-film’s market increased as well, with 22% of panels manufactured in 2009. First Solar was deemed the largest cell/panel manufacturer – a first for any thin-film producer. Following is a list of the top ten global cell and panel manufacturers in 2009.
The top 10 global cell manufacturers were:
•First Solar (US)
•Suntech Power (China)
•Sharp (Japan)
•Q-Cells (Germany
•Yingli Green Energy (China)
•JA Solar (China)
•Kyocera (Japan)
•Trina Solar (China)
•SunPower (US)
•Gintech (Taiwan)
The top 10 global panel manufacturers include:
•First Solar (US)
•Suntech Power (China)
•Sharp (Japan)
•Yingli Green Energy (China)
•Kyocera (Japan)
•Trina Solar (China)
•SunPower (U.S.)
•Canadian Solar (China)
•Solarfun (China)
•SolarWorld (Germany)
For the complete research and Excel sheet with production by technology and region, please click here.