According to NPD Solarbuzz, second quarter 2013 PV module shipments for the top 20 suppliers exceeded 5.8GW. The rise was led by Yingli Green Energy which saw shipments estimated to exceed 800MW and over 1GW for the first-half of the year, a new record for any PV module manufacturer.
“Yingli Green Energy has been strongly focused on market share gains over the past four quarters,” said Ray Lian, senior analyst at NPD Solarbuzz. “The company is rapidly approaching 10% global market share, and has now become the clear leader in megawatt shipments. The leading solar PV suppliers are now starting to pull away from the pack, which provides strong evidence that the anticipated industry consolidation is finally in progress.”
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The market research firm noted in its latest NPD Solarbuzz Module Tracker Quarterly report that the record-high module shipment volume represents 21% growth from the same quarter a year ago, when shipments reached 4.8GW.
Yingli Green is not the only beneficiary of strong demand growth. NPD Solarbuzz expects Trina Solar, Jinko Solar, Renesola, and Hanwha SolarOne to all surpass their quarterly module shipment records. Several have already guided higher shipments.
NPD Solarbuzz reiterated the market dynamics that started last year when major suppliers looked at the Japanese markets higher ASP environment and focused on expanding sales to support a return to profitability over mature and highly competitive markets in Europe.
Canadian Solar and JA Solar were said to have become the leading overseas suppliers to Japan, while Sharp Solar, Kyocera, Solar Frontier and Panasonic accounted for 54% of modules shipped by the 20 leading module suppliers to Japan.
Branded modules and preference for domestic brands continues to be a key purchasing decision in the booming Japanese market, according to the market research firm.