GTM Research: Yingli takes top producer spot

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

Yingli Solar has been crowned as the top module producer for the first time as well as the top cell manufacturer in 2012, according to rankings compiled by GTM Research.

In module production, Yingli managed to oust Suntech Power, the reigning champion for the past two years, from the number one spot, pushing Suntech down to second place. The market intelligence firm notes that this is the first time Yingli has taken the top spot. In third place was First Solar, followed by Trina Solar and Canadian Solar.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

In cell production, Yingli was crowned the winner with output close to 2,359MW in 2012. This was followed by JA Solar with 1,785MW, Trina Solar with 1,613MW, Suntech with 1,574MW and Motech with 1,309MW.

GTM Research notes that 11 companies featured on both top 15 lists and suggests that the integrated cell-module manufacturing model is still in favour.

The company also noted that the top 15 lists were dominated by PV producers from mainland China. There were nine Chinese firms in the top 15 ranking for cell production and 11 Chinese firms in the modules list. As GTM Research notes, this is not surprising with 63% of cells and 64% of modules manufactured in mainland China in 2012.

Looking at the industry more broadly, GTM highlights how overcapacity has continued to be an issue throughout 2012. GTM Research estimates that 2012 global cell production reached 32.7GW while global module production totalled 36.2GW, representing an overall 2% fall from 2011 production levels — the first year-on-year decline in the industry’s history according to the market intelligence firm. 

Read Next

October 13, 2025
France’s Engie and the UAE’s Masdar have been chosen to jointly develop a 1.5GW PV power plant near Abu Dhabi.
Premium
October 13, 2025
Brett Beattie of Castillo Engineering looks at some of the key land grading work that can make multimillion-dollar differences to projects.
October 13, 2025
Korean chemical production firm OCI Holdings has acquired a 65% stake in a Vietnamese solar wafer production plant, intending to export solar wafers to the US.
October 13, 2025
The world is on pace to exceed 3TW of cumulative solar installations by the end of the year, according to a report from DNV.
October 13, 2025
The Trump administration has cancelled the 6.2GW Esmeralda 7 solar project in Nevada – once touted as one of the largest in the world.
October 13, 2025
Two Chinese state-owned energy enterprises have signed cooperation agreements on PV and wind power projects with Saudi companies, with the total contract value exceeding RMB30 billion (US$4.2 billion). 

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
October 21, 2025
New York, USA
Solar Media Events
November 25, 2025
Warsaw, Poland
Solar Media Events
December 2, 2025
Málaga, Spain
Solar Media Events
February 3, 2026
London, UK