Polysilicon & Wafer Industry Dynamics

Polysilicon-based technologies accounted for approximately 87% of total solar cell production in 2008, according to Solarbuzz. In the past, polysilicon production has been dominated by companies in the US, Japan and Europe. Yet in recent years, China polysilicon manufacturers have been quickly ramping up their capacities and developing their own proprietary technologies. According to Solarbuzz, China accounted for 15% of global polysilicon production in 2008 which was a significantly more than the 5% recorded for 2007. On the other hand, the US, Japan and Europe have been losing market shares.

China has the largest wafer manufacturing capacity in the world with 60% market share in 2008, up from 46% in 2007, according to Solarbuzz.