US hit high of 3.77GW PV module shipments in 2011

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

The US Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration has released a report on annual PV module shipments in the US. Solar Photovoltaic Cell/Module Shipments Report 2011, states that US shipments reached a record high of 3.77GW, an increase of 43% since 2010. The report lists declining PV cell and module prices, along with an installation rush at the end of the year due to the conclusion of grant programmes amongst its reasons for the increase.

The average price of PV cells and modules has declined steadily over the past few years. In 2011, PV cell shipments averaged approximately US$1.7 billion, a decrease of 18% from US$1.13 to US$0.92 last year. PV modules on the other hand were worth US$6 billion, a decrease of 19% from USS1.96 in 2010 to US$1.59 in 2011.

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

Manufacturing in the US has increased by 9% with California, Ohio, Oregon and Tennessee producing almost 75%. California’s rebate programme is currently under scrutiny from China. Alongside Washington, New Jersey, Massachusetts, the Chinese government is accusing the states of flouting World Trade Organization rules on subsidies and countervailing measures, in addition to the 1994 GATT Agreement.

Interestingly, last year, the US imported 51% of its total modules from China. This accounted for 3.3GWp of modules and 2.7GWp of crystalline silicon modules.

In March this year, the Coalition for American Solar Manufacturing (CASM) released a report in which it claims that the solar industry trade surplus with China “disappeared between 2010 and 2011.” According to CASM, the US solar industry had nearly a US$1.6 billion trade deficit with China in 2011, after an estimated US$250 to US$540 million surplus in 2010. The report’s findings are based on data from the US Department of Commerce, the US International Trade Commission and a prior study by GTM Research.

The largest share of the US export market went to Germany with almost 19.8% of modules, followed by Canada (19.6%) and Italy (18.5%).

In terms of cell efficiency, crystalline silicon achieved 16%, thin-film 11% and CPV modules were 29%.
 


 

Read Next

July 4, 2025
Chinese PV provider Skycorp Solar Group has announced a solar plant acquisition and development strategy following unanimous board approval.
July 4, 2025
Germany’s latest innovation tender has awarded 488MW of co-located capacity, with all the projects being solar PV tied with energy storage.
July 4, 2025
Risen Energy’s mass-produced heterojunction (HJT) modules have reached a cell conversion efficiency of 26.61%, a record figure for the company.
July 4, 2025
The US House of Representatives has passed the final version of the reconciliation bill that is now going to US President Donald Trump’s desk for his signature before its passing.
July 4, 2025
Australian retailer AGL Energy has confirmed its acquisition of South Australia’s Virtual Power Plant (SAVPP) from Tesla.
July 3, 2025
Renewable energy curtailment in Brazil is set to reach 8% across the country, and be as high as 11% in the north-east, by 2035.

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 22, 2025
Bilbao, Spain
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK