Stability on the horizon for solar PV demand, says Solarbuzz

3rd Jan 2013

Boom-and-bust might soon become steady-as-she-goes for the solar PV industry.

That's what Solarbuzz analyst Michael Barker says in his analysis of data released in the latest Solarbuzz Quarterly report.

The report looks at the global balance of supply and demand for the PV market and includes info on company shipment data, inventory levels, how policy is impacting PV demand, and more.

Writing on DisplaySearch blog, Mr Barker notes that in recent years the solar PV industry has been subject to strong cyclic changes. The reason? He points to government incentive policies.

Feed-in tariffs and rebates directly affect production cycles, as customers and developers rush to qualify for incentives before they elapse or are reduced. The result is a boom-and-bust cycle of demand.

This of course can hurt developers as they find themselves with excess stock when demand dies down in quiet periods.

Last year however, Mr Barker says that demand was more evenly spread across the four quarters. And according to Solarbuzz data, this shift to more stable demand cycles is a global phenomenon.

What are the consequences for the solar industry?

Mr Barker says it will mean manufacturers can balance out their production over all four quarters, giving them more stability in this growing market.

He calls this a "step in the right direction" for solar PV.

Posted by Mike Peacock

All solar power news categories

Government Rebate & Regulations
Solar Power & Technology


More Solar Power & Technology

Australia to be a part of huge Asian renewable energy growth
SunPower steps up to make solar more affordable
Canberra makes strides toward carbon neutrality
GTM puts solar's massive growth in perspective
Examining Australia's falling solar PV rooftop prices
Australia's shift toward renewable energy picks up the pace
Australia shines at solar decathlon
University of Queensland tapped as lead researcher on massive solar project
100 per cent renewable energy is possible in 10 years, environmental group says
Climate Commission releases report on solar progress
Aussie government actually shows spine for solar power
Be gone, skeptics: One million solar installations and counting
Australia embarks on its greatest solar journey ever
Australia looks to solar thermal for commercial success
Solar power helps King Island reach 100% sustainability
Australians 'heavy supporters of solar power'
Mildura solar plant officially unveiled
Solar power trumps other renewables in Australian minds
Sunshine Coast solar farm "fantastic initiative"
Sunshine Coast cashes in on namesake with solar plans
Energy storage 'could maximise solar power utility'
Solar powered family car - a world first?
Code of conduct for solar installers in the works
'Stop punishing households' for solar PV
Australian solar companies 'adjusting well'
Australian mining 'next solar frontier'
"Rooftop revolution" underway across Australia
Global PV market emerging from sluggish period
Royalla solar farm receives final approval
Leadership challenge a "debacle" for Australian solar power
Solar power giving global renewables a helping hand
Australia's largest CPV solar power plant up and running
Renewable energy misinformation "staggering"
CEC: Don't underestimate consumer desire for solar
Setting energy efficient examples on TV
Solar PV brightening up household bills
World's largest solar powered boat on the move
Climate change is heating up
The global solar power shift
New solar tech win for NSW
Industry orgs praise City of Sydney solar efforts
Clean Energy Council supports Regional Renewables scheme
Asian nations emerging as PV leaders
Solar PV demand continues to grow
Regional areas of Australia to receive more renewables
Australia's significant renewable energy growth
Solar panel reprieve for Queensland
New funding for solar research
Find love with sustainable speed dating
New Victorian solar power deal
 To get your quotes, please enter your postcode: