India Semiconductor Association

The solar PV industry is the fastest growing area in the energy sector and is expected to grow four-folds by 2011. In 2007, of the US$ 71 billion invested in new renewable energy capacity globally, 30% was in solar PV. Currently, the polysilicon manufacturing is dominated by 7 major players in the USA, Japan and Germany.

The global wafer manufacturing capacity grew at 73% during 2007 (over 2006). One of the key shifts occurring in wafer manufacturing is the emergence of China and Taiwan as major players in the near future.

Global PV cell production grew by 55% during 2007 (over 2006), with both mono and multi-crystalline losing ground to thin films. The five largest solar PV cell producing countries were Japan, China, Germany, Taiwan, and the United States. Recently, China has emerged as a major player in cell production, displacing Japan as the second largest producer of solar PV cells in 2007.

In recent times, the geographical focus of solar PV manufacturing has shifted towards developing countries, especially China, India, Malaysia and Taiwan. It is expected that by 2011-12, a sizable chunk of the manufacturing base will be developed by leading manufacturers in these countries, with India and China remaining the main strategic choice.

Presently, in India there are around 90 companies into solar PV, which comprise of 9 manufacturers of solar cells and 19 manufacturers of PV modules. Another 60 companies are engaged in the assembly and supply of solar PV systems. During FY07, nearly 45 MW of solar cells and 80 MW of SPV modules were produced in the country, of which over 60 MW of solar PV products were exported.