Date: 27th Aug 2010

IMS estimates Suntech beaten First Solar in solar PV modules shipments

IMS Research has estimated that Suntech has been the top supplier of crystalline solar PV modules during the second quarter of 2010. IMS Research says that Suntech has beaten thin-film rival First Solar for the first time since Q3'08 to become the largest supplier to the global PV module market during the quarter.

Although the US-based producer cadmium telluride PV modules, First Solar topped the production rankings in Q2'10, not all of its modules were shipped in the quarter and its shipments bucked the industry trend and in fact declined over the previous quarter.

IMS says Sharp maintained its position as the third largest supplier in the quarter, which it has now held for the last four quarters. However, fourth and fifth placed Trina Solar and Yingli, grew their shipments by 16% and 14% respectively over the previous quarter and continued to close the gap further between them and the Japanese electronics giant. High demand and full utilization of production capacities enabled the two suppliers to increase their gross margins to 32.1% and 33.5% respectively.

"The three largest Chinese suppliers performed very strongly in the second quarter," commented PV Research Analyst, Sam Wilkinson. "Suntech, Trina and Yingli's combined shipments increased by 14%, significantly more than Sharp and First Solar, the other suppliers in the top five." "IMS Research predicts that total module shipments will increase for the sixth consecutive quarter in Q3, driven by continuing high demand from all markets, including Germany and France, where completed installations are predicted to continue to surge despite recent cuts to the countries' incentive schemes," Wilkinson continued.