Yingli claims top spot as world's biggest Solar Module supplier in 2013

If you are contemplating on installing solar PV system on your rooftop, chances are you may be using solar modules manufactured by Yingli Green Energy.

For the second time in a row, Yingli claimed the top spot last year as the world’s biggest supplier of solar modules, according to market research firm IHS.


Yingli shipped more than 3 GW of PV modules in 2013, expanding its market share to 8.3%. Photo: Yingli Green Energy


Overall in 2013, Yingli was the No. 1 producer in both China and Germany, second in the United States and ninth in Japan. China bested the three countries as the largest solar market in the world in 2013.

In all, the four countries accounted for two-thirds of worldwide PV demand last year, according to the latest analysis reported in IHS Solar PV Integrated Market Tracker – Q4 2013.

Shipping more than 3 GW of solar modules last year, the Chinese maker expanded its share of the market to 8.3%, up from 7.4% in 2012, when it was already the world's biggest solar player.


Chinese firms in Germany busy despite trade dispute

Although impacted in Germany by the anti-dumping trade conflict, Chinese solar suppliers continued to see significant activity in the market, with five out of the country’s top 10 suppliers based out of China and only two local German companies - SolarWorld and Conergy.

In the U.S., the world's No. 3 PV market, Yingli came in second after Arizona-based First Solar. Yingli's total shipments of 479.8 MW represented just 70 MW short of First Solar’s delivery in the U.S. market, which grew more than 50% in 2013.

The only market where Yingli did not rank in top three was Japan, the world’s second-largest PV market, where Yingli came in ninth after homegrown producers like Sharp and Kyocera.


Yingli products in Malaysia?

Yes, definitely. In a statement last year, the company announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Yingli Singapore has signed a framework agreement with RE FIT Solution Sdn Bhd to supply 500 KW of multicrystalline PV modules for the residential market in Malaysia.

Apart from that, the company, through its Singapore subsidiary, will supply 10 MW of its YGE 60 Cell Series panels to solar project at Gemas, Negri Sembilan.


Source: pv-magazine

Yingli to be largest solar panel manufacturer in 2012

Final data for 2012 is not yet out, but for 2011 top solar module players are Suntech, First Solar, Yingli, Trina and Canadian Solar, in that order. According to Solarbuzz, the top 5 manufacturers in 2012 is expected to remain the same except that Yingli is tipped to be number one for the first time.

Yingli Green Energy, a Chinese solar manufacturer, has more than 20 subsidiaries and branch offices worldwide, including one in Singapore although none in Malaysia.

Poised for No.1 spot

World's largest panel manufacturer

Yingli expects 2012 panel shipments of more than 2.2GW, exceeding an earlier forecast of 2.1GW to 2.2GW. At that volume, Yingli expects to become the world’s largest panel maker. This feat would be at the expense of Suntech, the world number one for the past two consecutive years.

“According to public data to date, we believe Yingli has evolved into the largest PV module supplier” -  Miao Liansheng, Chairman and CEO of Yingli Green Energy in early January 2013.

Will it come to Malaysia?

Yingli distributes its PV modules to a wide range of markets, including Germany, Spain, Italy, Greece, France, South Korea, China, Japan and the United States, with domestic sales contributing to its increased shipment.

European markets for Chinese solar panel have declined and the 'anti-dumping' duties imposed by the US on Chinese imports means that Yingli (and many other China-based manufacturers) will have to look for new markets.

Southeast Asia is one of these markets and you will not be too surprised if PV panels installed on your solar rooftop under SEDA Feed-in Tariff scheme are Yingly products.

I suppose with the reputation as top manufacturer, you will not be far from right choosing Yingli when you install your grid-connected solar power. I may still be wrong though, as many of the Approved Licensed Installers in Malaysia choose either US or German made modules.