By Kari Williamson
European manufacturers are having trouble remaining cost competitive by producing in Europe, according to Lux Research’s latest Solar Supply Tracker.
Norway's solar PV cell manufacturer Renewable Energy Corporation (REC), as an example, has reduced production at two of its facilities in Norway by about 400 MW in the past two months while it continues its production at full capacity in Singapore.
Solar PV module prices are at a record low with major manufacturers selling around US$1/W to burn through their inventories. While this price is unsustainable, it makes cost competition cut-throat, the analyst says.
The top 10 companies, which make up 44% of global solar PV cell production, include some of the Chinese crystalline silicon cell manufacturing giants, such as Suntech, Yingli and Trina.
Neo Solar Power, which is a Taiwanese cell manufacturer, entered the top 10 for the first time with 3% of global solar PV cell production.
Fatima Toor , Analyst at Lux Research says: “The Asian share in cell manufacturing will continue to rise and go >50%, even though risks of trade disputes and tariffs loom in the western hemisphere. Moreover, polysilicon production has shifted to Asia during the last quarter while module production had already shifted to Asia in late 2010.”
Top 10 Cell Manufacturers: 3Q’11
Company Name | % Global Cell Production | Cell Production in Q3 2011 (MW) |
First Solar | 6% | 551 |
Suntech Power | 6% | 546 |
Yingli Green Energy | 5% | 431 |
Trina Solar | 4% | 370 |
SunPower | 4% | 350 |
Motech | 4% | 330 |
Canadian Solar | 4% | 325 |
JA Solar | 4% | 325 |
Sharp | 4% | 316 |
Neo Solar Power | 3% | 273 |