According to NPD Solarbuzz, during Q3 2013 end-market demand from the global solar PV industry reached a new Q3 record of 9 GW, representing a 6% increase compared to Q2. The total is also 20% more than Q3 2012.
Q2 and Q3 2013 achieved record solar PV demand levels, resulting in more than 17 GW of new solar PV installations. This mid-year surge in new installations is almost 3 GW more than the solar PV industry has ever achieved in the past. “The record levels of mid-year demand in 2013 have been critical to the overall recovery of the solar PV sector,” added Michael Barker, senior analyst at NPD Solarbuzz. “Restored confidence in end-market growth is allowing leading solar PV manufacturers to pursue aggressive shipment strategies within both established and emerging territories, despite previous concerns that trade wars could dampen growth.”
Over the next quarter, solar PV demand is forecast to grow to 10-12 GW, with the characteristic yearend surge coming from China and the US, accounting for 50% of global demand during the quarter.
Strong end-market demand is set to continue during next year’s first quarter, historically the weakest quarter for the industry. This is being driven by leading solar PV countries whose scheduled incentive rate reductions align with end-March fiscal years. As a result, during Q1 2014, record quarterly solar PV installations are forecast in both Japan and the UK, as project developers rush to complete large-scale projects before April policy adjustments.
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