NPD Solarbuzz: Solar PV wafer production to grow by 19% in 2013

NPD Solarbuzz has reported solar photovoltaic wafer production is forecast to grow by 19% in 2013, passing 30 GW and recovering to the 2011 level. However, industry utilization is expected to remain below 60%, and while prices have stopped falling, no significant increases are expected, so profitability for wafer makers will remain challenging, adds NPD Solarbuzz. Further analysis shared by NPD Solarbuzz includes: Multicrystalline silicon (multi c-Si) technology is forecast to continue its dominance of the wafer market in the short to mid-term. However, the higher efficiency solar cells that can be produced using monocrystalline silicon (mono c-Si) wafers continue to be in demand for applications where space is restricted. The higher efficiencies enable pricing at a premium over standard multi c-Si modules. In particular, rapid growth in the Japanese market is creating demand for premium efficiency modules that use mono c-Si wafers. Figure 1: Crystalline Silicon (c-Si) Wafer Production Forecast by Technology
Source: NPD Solarbuzz Q1’13 Polysilicon and Wafer Supply Chain Quarterly “Supported by attractive solar PV incentive rates, Japan will account for more than 10% of global PV demand in 2013,” stated Charles Annis, Vice President at NPD Solarbuzz. “With a str...