PV demand from China, Japan seen at 9 GW in H2 2013

Aug 21, 2013 - Solar products demand from China and Japan will reach 9 GW in the second half of 2013, doubling from the first half of the year and soaring 70% year-on-year, NPD Solarbuzz said Tuesday.

Demand from the Asia Pacific region will surpass 16 GW in 2013, marking a 90% on-the-year jump. It is also expected to represent more than 40% of the global photovoltaic (PV) demand this year, according to the research company’s Asia Pacific Major PV Markets Quarterly report.

NPD Solarbuzz’s vice president Finlay Colville explained that the record-high level of PV shipments to China and Japan will coincide with growing corporate margins and “the final shakeout phase of uncompetitive manufacturers nearing completion”. Relying on government support, China alone is projected to become the top destination for PV this year.

As for Japan, PV demand is set to jump by 150% in 2013 on a yearly basis and exceed 5 GW by the end of the second quarter of 2014. Demand in the second half of this year will be helped by the commercial and utility sectors, while in the year-ago period it was driven by the residential segment.

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