Photovoltaic news and pv jobs

Global PV manufacturing experiencing healthy growth

SEMI PV Group and the German Engineering Federation's (VDMA) research into the global photovoltaic manufacturing industry has found that the industry’s book-to-bill ratio stands at 1:13, indicating it is still in expansion mode.

Book-to-bill report shows continued growth in photovoltaic manufacturing worldwide. Image: Solarpraxis AG/Hans-Christoph Neidlein.

The Worldwide Photovoltaics Equipment Market Statistics report, the first of its kind, used direct input data from photovoltaic equipment manufacturers in all regions to deliver this picture of the expanding market. The report revealed that both bookings and billings increased throughout 2010, and that sales in the fourth quarter of 2010 have doubled from the first.

"The industry is still in expansion mode, despite markets becoming more volatile," reported Eric Maiser from VDMA Photovoltaic (PV) Equipment, "equipment manufacturers are doing very well." The global picture, compiled in the report, shows that Asia is by far the biggest contributor to photovoltaic equipment sales accounting for close to 80 percent.

The report was jointly produced by SEMI and VDMA and drew on methodology SEMI has developed in the technology industry. "The PV industry has been demanding accurate sale and order data on a global basis to better understand key business trends," said SEMI’s Bettina Weiss, adding "that’s why we set up a comprehensive report together with VDMA covering bookings and billings data by quarter, market region, by supply chain and equipment type."

At present, the report is only available to manufacturers who have contributed data.