A new report says that revenue from solar PV module sales will drop by 20 percent in 2013 to $20.5 billion from $25.5 billion in 2012, and won’t rise until 2015.
According to the NPD Solarbuzz Marketbuzz 2013 report, in 2013 and 2014, PV module revenues will stay below 2012 levels. But sales will begin increasing again in 2015, reaching $32 billion by 2017.
“Manufacturing over-capacity and declining revenues had a dramatic impact on the PV industry in 2012, and this trend will continue during 2013,” said Michael Barker, Senior Analyst at NPD Solarbuzz.
Credit: NPD Solarbuzz
NPD Solarbuzz predicts that industry consolidation will continue as companies readjust to the lower prices of modules and market oversupply.
“Surviving the downturn phase of 2013 and 2014 remains the key objective for all solar PV manufacturers,” Barker added.
“Module suppliers with profitable business models will emerge as market leaders. In 2015, they can expect an industry that offers strong growth and revenue potential, which should restore confidence in the PV manufacturing sector and lead to further investments in new capacity and next-generation technologies.”
