Market
research firm Frost & Sullivan expects polysilicon supply to catch
up with demand in 2008. It cites in a new report that the major
suppliers are bringing more than 17,000 tonnes of new polysilicon
capacity online in 2008, and while demand from PV manufacturers is set
to continue, semiconductor manufacturing demand is only growing at
single digit levels.
“We expect polysilicon supply to catch up with the demand already in 2008,” says Alina Bakhareva, Renewable Energy Programme Manager at Frost & Sullivan. “The majority of the new quantities will be supplied to the market by top 4 producers that are expanding their existing production capacities.”
The four largest polysilicon producers are expected to add over 17,000 tonnes of capacity in 2008.
“Since these companies are well-established in the industry and have accumulated many years of experience,” continues Alina Bakhareva, “They have quite short ramp-up time for the new plants and we can expect them to start the production on time and stick to their announced schedules.”
Demand for solar-grade polysilicon is expected to reach over 50 percent of the total demand in 2008-2009, according to Frost & Sullivan.