Industrial Minerals


Solar cell output continues fall as market corrects oversupply

14 June 2012

by Simon Moores

Falling solar cell prices may stimulate growth for renewable energy source

Keywords: solar, photovoltaic, PV, cell, Suntech, quartz, polysilicon

The global drive to bring non-fossil fuel energy sources to fruition as swiftly as possible has created several new energy industries, of which solar power is very much at the forefront.

 

Forecasts indicate that photovoltaic (PV) derived electricity could be providing up to 12% of the EU’s electricity demand by 2020.

 

But is solar energy a genuine market? Worldwide the sector has severe doubters. The last two years have been a rollercoaster ride for both polysilicon producers and solar panel manufacturers.

 

This period has been characterised by a glut of new suppliers, huge oversupply, and a collapse in the market.

 

Since 2010, it has become easier for new companies to enter the solar industry as the production methods are...