More than 50% of PV module makers in China stop production, claim sources

Staff reporter, Taipei; Adam Hwang, DIGITIMES [Monday 8 December 2008]

There were originally about 350 photovoltaic (PV) module makers in China, but approximately 200 of them have stopped production or shut down since two months ago, according to PV industry sources in Taiwan.

These makers have been forced to go out of business by financial troubles arising from the global financial crisis and decreased global demand for PV modules, the sources indicated.

Makers of crystalline silicon solar cells in China generally have high inventory levels that are unlikely to be cleaned in a quarter, the sources said. Some China makers of solar cells have offered spot market prices of as low as US$2.1-2.5/watt in an attempt to reduce inventories, while the spot market prices quoted by Taiwan-based competitors stand at US$2.6-2.7 currently, the sources noted.