Comment vFinal DR 2/9/09 16:44 Page 3
EDITORSVIEW
Industry realities
T
he photovoltaic market is at a crossroads of change as market realities have caught
up with industry hype. Analysts are declaring the industry will continue to grow but
only on the strength of orders made before the fiscal downturn. This suggests a glut of
industrial output for the next 2 - 3 quarters and then a market adjustment, which will of course
be viewed as some sort of industry downturn rather than the correction required after too many
players joined the expected party.
Although the next year or two will see a number of adjustments, as supply and demand
balance the see saw of market dynamics, there will also be a rationale reduction in the number
of companies and we can expect intense consolidation and acquisition over the next two years. The industry will
have a better idea who is shaping up to be the big players in this growing industry.
The other major change to impact the global industry is all to do with subsidies. With Spain reducing the local
subsidies and the subsequent collapse of demand in the region, many countries are carefully monitoring Germany
and Japan to see how they choose to move forward on subsidies. There is also a close eye been kept on the USA
and China who have both annonuced large stimulus packages for the local sector.
The PV industry needs to sell itself better to the general public and ensure there is awareness of the enabling
3
capacity of PV energy as well as the secondary and tertiary job creations that will ensue from public investment. The
PV industry should look at how the semiconductor industry has been unable to get governments and financial
www
institutions to understand the enabling capacity of that industry, especially in Europe. Allowing the industry to be
.solar
driven purely on market expectations will lead to a diminished capacity for the global PV industry.
-pv-management.com
David Ridsdale
Editor-in-Chief
Issue IV 2009
Editor-in-Chief David Ridsdale +44 (0)1923 690210 dr@angelbcl.co.uk
Publisher: Jackie Cannon+44 (0)1923 690205 jc@angelbcl.co.uk
Account Handlers: Shehzad Munshi +44 (0)1923 690215 sm@angelbcl.co.uk Tommy Beazley +44 (0)1923 690222 tb@angelbcl.co.uk
Design & Production Manager: Mitchell Gaynor +44 (0)1923 690214 mg@angelbcl.co.uk
Circulation Director: Jan Smoothy +44 (0)1923 690200 js@angelbcl.co.uk
Subscriptions Manager: Debbie Higham +44 (0)1923 690220 dh@angelbcl.co.uk
Commercial Director: Stephen Whitehurst +44 (0)2476 718970 stephen@angelbc.co.uk
Directors: Bill Dunlop Uprichard Jan Smoothy Stephen Whitehurst
Published by: (London Office) Angel Business Communications Ltd, Hannay House, 39 Clarendon Road, Watford, Herts WD17 1JA, UK
T: +44 (0)1923 690200 F: +44 (0)1923 690201
Production: +44 (0)1923 690214 (Coventry Office) Angel Business Communications Ltd, Unit 6, Bow Court, Fletchworth Gate, Burnsall
Road, Coventry CV5 6SP
T: +44 (0)2476 718 970 F: +44 (0)2476 718 971 E: info@angelbc.co.uk W: www.solar-pv-management.com
Solar is published six times a year on a controlled circulation basis. Non-qualifying individuals can subscribe at: £25.00 (UK & Europe), £38.00 pa (air mail),
$40 pa (USA). Cover price £5.50. All information herein is believed to be correct at time of going to press. The publisher does not accept responsibility for any errors and
omissions. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher. Every effort has been made to obtain copyright permission for the material
contained in this publication. Angel Business Communications Ltd will be happy to acknowledge any copyright
oversights in a subsequent issue of the publication. Angel Business Communications Ltd © Copyright 2009.
All rights reserved. Contents may not be reproduced in whole or part without the written consent of the
publishers. The paper used within this magazine is produced by chain of custody certified manufacturers,
guaranteeing sustainable sourcing. Printed by: Pensord Press Ltd. ISSN 1751-1135. © 2009.
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44