Chinese PV Cell Manufacturers Increased their Marketshare from 49% to 59% in 2010

Market research firm, Solarbuzz has reported its Top 10 rankings by cell capacity in 2010. Actually, there were 12 companies in the ranking due to several companies tying on capacity. Suntech Power and JA Solar tied for the first position, followed closely by First Solar.

On a geographical basis, there were four producers in the rankings that are headquartered in China, (Suntech (1), JA Solar (1), Trina Solar (9) and Canadian Solar (12)). Taiwan was also well represented with three firms in the rankings, (Motech (5), Gintech (6) and Neo Solar Power (11)).

Not surprising was the inclusion of two key producers headquartered in the U.S., First Solar and SunPower, ranked third and tenth, respectively.

Both Kyocera and Sharp were tied for seventh position and were the only two firms from Japan in the rankings.

Only one German manufacturer was included in the Solarbuzz rankings, Q-Cells at number 4. However, like SunPower the majority of cell production is in Asia.

According to Solarbuzz, worldwide solar cell production reached 20.5GW in 2010, up a massive amount from 2009 when production reached 9.86GW.

Thin film production accounted for 13.5% of total production, Solarbuzz said - down (as a percentage from 16.8% in 2009)

Producers in China and Taiwan continued to build market share, and accounted for 59% of global cell production in 2010, up from 49% in 2009.

Source:  PV Tech and Solar Buzz

Suntech Power Stops Producing Thin Film Panels

Suntech Power Holdings Co. Ltd. plans to overhaul operations at its Shanghai, China, manufacturing facility to focus on the manufacture of crystalline silicon solar cells. As part of the restructuring, the company has ceased the manufacture of amorphous silicon thin-film solar panels.

Suntech expects to incur a thin-film equipment non-cash impairment charge of approximately $50 million to $55 million in the second quarter of this year. The company cites "rapid cost reduction and improving competitiveness of crystalline silicon solar panels" as the reasons for its decision to switch manufacturing focus at the Shanghai factory.

SOURCE: Suntech Power Holdings Co. Ltd.

Suntech Opens New Office in France

Suntech Power Holdings Co. Ltd. (a manufacturer of multi-crystalline solar cells and ranked #2 in module sales so far in 2010) has opened a representative office in Montbonnot (Isere), France.

According to Suntech, this office will allow the company to better serve its local partners throughout the region's growing solar market. Since Suntech established its presence in France in 2008, the French solar market has become one of Suntech's top three markets in Europe.

The new office features a solar product training center for distributors and installers, as well as hands-on installation training offerings. The office will be home to a technical customer support team with local industry experience, and is expected to grow in tandem with local market demand.

SOURCE: Suntech Power Holdings Co. Ltd.