IMS Research indicates that seven of the top ten suppliers of PV manufacturing equipment were European and accounted for more than half of all global revenues. However, an American supplier, Applied Materials, led the pack. Oerlikon Solar and Centrotherm were estimated to have won the second and third largest share.

IMS Research Senior Analyst, Mark Watson, commented: "Supply of crystalline solar manufacturing equipment will become more concentrated in the near future; as larger suppliers increase market share and technology expertise through acquisition".

"Supply of thin film manufacturing equipment is even more concentrated at present; with the leading five suppliers estimated to account for over 80 percent of 2008 revenues."

IMS is predicting that supply of thin film equipment will become more fragmented in the near future.

Crystalline equipment suppliers, which offer products similar to those used in thin film module production, are likely to enter the thin film market with an already established product and sales channel.

The past two years have seen the top ten suppliers of PV manufacturing equipment involved in at least nine significant acquisitions, with two main aims. In the short term, increasing the equipment product range and moving towards a complete line offering was an obvious benefit. In the longer term, acquiring technical knowledge and expertise for further equipment development were key incentives. In the near future, it is likely that more of the larger suppliers will merge, following the likes of Meyer Burger and 3S, to form solar manufacturing line suppliers.

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