Photo market grows to 27.4 GW

Worldwide, solar photovoltaic (PV) market installations reached a record of 27.4 GW in 2011, up 40% Y/Y, according to the annual PV market report, 2012 Marketbuzz, issued by NPD Solarbuzz.

Overall market growth in 2011 was boosted by strong second half demand ahead of further deep cuts in solar incentives. This followerd a period of over-protection in the first half that triggered the sustained price decline through the PV chain that came to characterise 2011.

The dominance of Chinese manufacturers in crystalline silicon wafers, cells and modules grew, the share of film declined and demand in Asian markets grew rapidly.

Of the more than 100 countries worldwide covered in the report, the top five PV markets were Germany, Italy, China, the US and France - 74% of global demand in 2011. China soared 470% Y/Y, rising to third place from seventh in 2010.

European countries accounted for 18.7 GW, or 68% of world demand in 2011, down from 82% in 2010. Strong growth in France and Italy, combined with a year-end surge in German demand that held it flat Y/Y, meant that Germany, Italy and France collectively accounted for 82% of the European market.

Worldwide solar cell production reached 29.5 GW in 2011, up from 23.0 GW a year earlier, with thin film production accounting for 11% of total production. Production from China and Taiwan accounted for 74% of global cell production, up from 63% in the prior year.

The top 10 polysilicon manufacturers had 204,000 tonnes per annum of capacity in 2011, while the top 10 wafer manufacturers accounted for 20.7% of global capacity.

The excess of solar cell production over demand during 1H’11 caused market-weighted average crystalline silicon factory-gate module prices to drop 28% in 2011, significantly more than the 14% drop the previous year.

Furthermore, Q4’11 versus Q4’10 prices were down 46%.

Over the next five years, factory-gate modules prices are projected to drop between 43% and 53% from 2011 levels. Average c-Si factory-gate prices in 2012 will be at least 29% lower than the 2011 average.

Over the next 12 months, the rest of the world markets are projected to increase to 32% of global demand, from just 20% last year, while Europe loses share, dropping to 53%.

By 2016, European market share is projected to fall below 42% as North America and several Asian markets grow rapidly. China is forecast to reach 17% of the world market by 2016.