This followed a period of over-production in the first half that
triggered the sustained price decline through the PV chain that came to
characterize 2011. The dominance of Chinese manufacturers in crystalline
 silicon wafers, cells and modules grew, the share of thin film
declined, and demand in Asian markets grew rapidly.

The PV industry generated $93 billion in global revenues in 2011, up
12% Y/Y, while the industry successfully raised more than $8 billion in
corporate equity and debt. Of the more than 100 countries worldwide
covered in Marketbuzz, the top five PV markets were Germany, Italy,
China, the United States, and France - 74% of global demand in 2011. China
 soared 470% Y/Y, rising from to third place from seventh in 2010.

European countries accounted for 18.7 GW, or 68% of world demand in
2011, down from 82% in 2010. Strong growth in France and Italy, combined
 with a year-end surge in German demand that held it flat Y/Y, meant
that Germany, Italy and France collectively accounted for 82% of the
European market.

Worldwide solar cell production reached 29.5 GW in 2011, up from 23.0
 GW a year earlier, with thin film production accounting for 11% of
total production. Production from China and Taiwan accounted for 74% of
global cell production, up from 63% in the prior year. The Top 10
polysilicon manufacturers had 204K metric tons per annum of capacity in
2011, while the Top 10 wafer manufacturers accounted for 20.7% of global
 capacity.

The excess of solar cell production over demand during 1H'11 caused
market-weighted average crystalline silicon factory-gate module prices
to drop 28% in 2011, significantly more than the 14% drop the previous
year. Furthermore, Q4'11 versus Q4'10 prices were down 46%. Over the
next five years, factory-gate module prices are projected to drop
between 43% and 53% from 2011 levels. Average c-Si factory-gate prices
in 2012 will be at least 29% lower than the 2011 average.

Over the next 12 months, the Rest of World markets are projected to
increase to 32% of global demand, from just 20% last year, while Europe
loses share, dropping to 53%. By 2016, European market share is
projected to fall below 42% as North America and several Asian markets
grow rapidly. China is forecast to reach 17% of the world market by
2016.

“Aggressive cuts in incentives in Germany and other European
countries have set up the potential for a global market decline in 2012,
 but ahead of these the rush to install is on, especially in Germany,”
said Craig Stevens, President of NPD Solarbuzz. “These cuts in tariffs
will force companies to embrace self-sustaining marketing models earlier
 than they expected. Meanwhile, Chinese policy makers will face a
decision whether to stimulate their domestic market even more than
planned to support their globally dominant manufacturing base.”
Stevens added, “Cutbacks in polysilicon, wafer, and cell production
plans before mid-year will be required to avoid further damaging margin
declines. Meanwhile, it is significant that polysilicon manufacturing
capacity-long the most constrained and profitable part of the PV
chain-now has the highest capacity in the PV chain.”

The new Marketbuzz report provides an in-depth, integrated analysis
of global demand, supply, capacity, and pricing in the solar market
supply chain.



Major PV Country Markets (GW)
Source: NPD Solarbuzz 2012 Marketbuzz

Visit NPD Solarbuzz at www.Solarbuzz.com