Viewing that demand for crystalline silicon solar cells has been increasing, Taiwan- and China-based solar cell makers are expected to try their best to expand production capacities as soon as possible and consequently currently idle production equipment will be in great demand in 2016, according to Taiwan-based PV makers.
Idle equipment exists at second- and third-tier China-based solar cell makers and makers in other countries which have shut down or stopped production mostly due to financial troubles, the sources said. Second-hand equipment is significantly cheaper, so many Taiwan- and China-based makers prefer idle equipment to new purchases, the sources indicated.
The China government is expected to set a 2016 target PV installation capacity at 20GWp and installation capacity in the US is expected to rise to 10-12GWp in 2016 due to a rush arising from expiring 30% solar investment tax credits at the end of 2016, the sources said. Global PV installation capacity is estimated to rise from 50GWp in 2015 to 56-60GWp in 2016, the sources indicated.
