Solar module shipments fall for the first time in two years

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

PV module shipments have declined for the first time in two years, according to the latest figures released by IMS Research. The quarter-to-quarter shipment figure fell by nearly 10%, a drop attributed to the uncertainty surrounding the announcement of Italy's new feed-in tariff (FiT).

Average prices, which had remained strong throughout 2010 thanks to high demand from major European markets, also fell sharply in Q1. This is a decline that is forecast to continue into Q2, with the prices of crystalline modules from Chinese Tier-2 suppliers falling the most dramatically.

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

IMS analysts claim that the announcement of a revamp to Italy’s FiT saw demand on the peninsula come to a virtual standstill overnight, leading to high inventory levels and crashing end-market prices. “Suppliers that are dependent on the Italian market saw demand for their products quickly evaporate when the feed-in tariff was suspended,” IMS’s Sam Wilkinson said. “Many manufacturers rapidly adjusted production in an attempt to prevent stock from building. However, distributors were already stocking large amounts of product and the total worldwide PV module inventory has now reached a record amount of over 10GW in Q2 2011. Many companies have already begun dumping prices in order to clear it”.

Last Thursday, the Italian government finally unveiled the country’s new solar subsidy scheme, which is likely to revitalise the industry’s flagging fortunes by slowing down the rapid decrease in prices. However, IMS believes that the long-term damage to investor confidence inflicted by the Government’s indecision will prevent the Italian market from recovering to its 2010 size again before the end of the year.

Despite its pessimistic outlook on Italy, IMS is forecasting positive growth for the global PV module market in 2011; full-year shipments are predicted to grow by nearly 20% thanks to continued demand from new GW-scale markets, such as the USA, and continued demand from European countries.

Read Next

September 10, 2025
At RE+ 2025, companies launched AI-driven platforms, terrain-following trackers, low-carbon modules, and advanced energy management solutions for solar and storage.
Premium
September 10, 2025
PV Talk: Italy’s new CfD policy offers clear support for solar developers in an otherwise uncertain legislative landscape, says Terrawatt's Patrizio Donati.
September 10, 2025
A project claimed to be Germany’s largest agriPV plant has been commissioned in the north-east of the country.
September 10, 2025
Renewables developer rPlus Energies has secured US$100 million in tax equity financing for its 125MW solar PV plant in the US state of Idaho.
September 10, 2025
Indian solar module manufacturer Vikram Solar reported a 79.7% year-on-year increase in revenue for the first quarter of FY26.
September 10, 2025
Cordelio Power has started commercial operations at its 150MW Winfield solar project in Lincoln County, Missouri.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
October 2, 2025
London,UK
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines