As mainstream PV power generation is expected to shift from ground-mounted stations to rooftop systems in Europe, the US, Japan and China in 2015, and solar cells used in rooftop PV systems require high energy conversion rates, global supply of high-efficiency silicon solar cells is likely to be short of demand in 2015, according to Taiwan-based supply chain makers.
Forecast solar cell supply and demand, 2015 |
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Type of solar cell |
Energy conversion rate |
Power generation for a PV module (W) |
Forecast global supply (GWp) |
Forecast global demand (GWp) |
Monocrystalline silicon |
19.8-20.5% |
275-285 |
about 2.5 |
about 3.0 |
Polycrystalline silicon |
17.8-18.2% |
155-260 |
about 5.0 |
about 15.0 |
Polycrystalline silicon |
17.6% |
250-255 |
about 11.0 |
about 12.0 |
Source: Taiwan-based supply chain makers, compiled by Digitimes, December 2014