Polysilicon development outlook will reach 290,000 tons/year by 2014

Polysilicon is the main component of photovoltaic solar cells. The analysis on October 20, 2010 showed that in the first five years, polysilicon has seen high growth rates and will show significant potential for continued growth. PHOTON Consulting pointed out that the solar market has grown with a very strong trend and will continue to maintain an average annual growth rate of more than 50% from 2005 to 2010. However, the market opportunities for polysilicon suppliers are affected by dramatic changes in prices, supply and demand. The strong recovery in the growth of solar module facilities in the post-crisis era caused the polysilicon market to be tight.

According to PHOTON Consulting's 2010 annual solar market report, under the current policy and economic environment, polysilicon supply is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 16% from 2010 to 2014, which will reach 290,000 tons/year in 2014. Capacity growth is driven mainly by the expansion of major manufacturers, including Hemlock Semiconductor, OCI, and Wacker Chemicals.

In August 2010, South Korea's OCI signed a memorandum of understanding with the Korea Economic Development Group to jointly invest 8.4 billion U.S. dollars (including other matters) and will increase its capacity in Koriyama, South Korea, which will double OCI’s total polysilicon manufacturing capacity. . Hemlock is building a $1.2 billion polysilicon manufacturing facility in Clarksville, Tenn., while Wacker Chemie is building an 800 million euro ($1 billion) solar grade polysilicon manufacturing facility in Nünchritz, Germany.

The analysis pointed out that the stimulation of the photovoltaic sector is in the process of expanding its capacity. The average annual growth rate of polysilicon supply is expected to reach 43%, which will bring its capacity to nearly 500,000 tons in 2014.