Is 2015 a big year for global Solar PV; Analysis by IHS on Chinese suppliers

Some of the latest developments gives a clear picture on how big the solar PV growth going to be in 2015. IHS has reported its latest analysis on the Chinese solar PV supplier analysis, where IHS finds: Most Chinese tier-1 solar PV module suppliers have sold out, until the second quarter of 2015. Chinese tier-1 suppliers increased their market share from 34 percent in the first quarter (Q1) of 2014 to 45 percent in the fourth quarter (Q4). The total effective capacity of Chinese tier-1 module suppliers in the first quarter is expected to reach 5.7 GW, while total global demand is expected to reach 10.8 GW. “We have heard from both suppliers and buyers about the expected shortage of Chinese tier-1 modules in the first quarter,” said Jessica Jin, analyst for solar at IHS. “After a demand surge in the fourth quarter of 2014, Chinese tier-1 module suppliers decreased their inventory significantly. Considering the Chinese New Year occurs in the first quarter, companies won’t run their capacity in full production, either; so they won’t have enough products for all quotations. Most of them have already sold out for the first quarter.” The chart below shows Chinese tier-1 suppliers’ capacity, shipment levels and market share through the first quarter of 2015.