THT Research predicts Chinese polysilicon output to reach 2,000 tons in 2008

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

Of
the anticipated 51,000 metric tons of global polysilicon production for
2008, THT Research expects 2,000 metric tons of that figure to be
contributed by China. The expected increase on the output of 1,000 tons
produced by China in 2007 has been pegged as a result of improved
polysilicon production processes in the country.

However, of the 20-plus China-based polysilicon plant projects at various stages of development, only four Chinese producers are in volume production. THT Research therefore believes that China’s polysilicon supply contribution will remain limited for a few more years.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

“Even though there are at least 20 polysilicon projects now underway in China, technical, know-how, logistics, and product purity problems abound; we don’t expect more than eight of them to succeed in the long run,” said Susan Gordon, an analyst at THT Research. “After 2009, China’s production will begin to grow more rapidly, reaching 7,000 metric tons, but it will not seriously challenge North American, European and Japanese dominance in the industry in the near future.”

There has been much debate about when the expected significant increase in polysilicon production will impact the market. Many PV manufacturers are expecting prices to decline in the second half of 2008 for long-term contracts. SunPower, for example, said in its prepared statement covering its quarterly financial figures that it expects prices to decline by approximately 10 percent by the end of 2008.

Some market analysts believe that meaningful polysilicon price reductions will not be seen until later in 2009.

By Síle Mc Mahon 

Read Next

July 31, 2025
Matthias Taft, the chief executive officer of renewables developer BayWa r.e., will leave the company at the end of August.
Premium
July 31, 2025
PV Tech Premium spoke with Qiaogiang Gan at KAUST on how the cooling technology helps improve solar cell application in harsher environments.
July 31, 2025
Lithuanian government-owned utility and renewables developer Ignitis Group has completed its first 94MW solar project in Latvia.
July 31, 2025
US solar module manufacturer SEG Solar has shipped its first order of utility-scale solar modules from its Texas production facility.
July 31, 2025
First Solar has completed a deal to sell US$391 million in tax credits, bringing its total tax credit sales this year to over US$1.5 billion.
July 31, 2025
Leeward Renewable Energy has started construction at the Twelvemile 1 and 2 solar projects in Oklahoma, which have a capacity of 152MW.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Media Partners, Solar Media Events
September 2, 2025
Mexico City, Mexico
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