L R AS Published on Monday 23 March 2020 - n° 314 - Categories:various sectors, China

Chinese panel exports in 2019

Chinese panel exports in 2019

1°) Growing demand in European and emerging markets

According to PV InfoLink China's customs report, China exported 66.8 GW of panels in 2019, an increase of

60% compared to 41.3 GW in the previous year. This marked growth was attributed to the rush of installations in the first half of the year in Vietnam, to the execution of photovoltaic projects in emerging countries in the Americas, and to the increase in the number of projects in the United States.The strong growth was attributed to the rush of installations in Vietnam in the first half of the year, to the execution of photovoltaic projects in emerging countries in Latin America and the Middle East, and to the abolition of minimum import price measures (MIP) in August 2018, which has since allowed Chinese panels to be shipped without trade barriers to European markets.

2°) China's top 10 export markets for panels (2018-2019)

Europe imported 22.8 GW of panels; this figure represents 34% of total demand. In addition to the Netherlands, China exported 3.7 GW to Spain, 3.7 GW to the Ukraine and 1.7 GW to Germany; these countries are on the list of the top 10 export markets in 2019.

3°) The top 10 panel exporters

These suppliers achieved higher export volumes in 2019 than in 2018. The top five exporters accounted for about 50% of Chinese panel exporters over the two-year period. The top five made the largest technical improvements.

4°) Single PERC panels eclipse multi-crystalline panels

Single PERC panels have overtaken multi-Si panels to dominate foreign markets. Exports of multi-Si panels fell from 6.9 GW inQ1 2018 to 4.7 GW in Q4 2019; exports of mono PERC panels increased from 1.3 GW to 7.9 GW over the same period. Exports of multi-Si PERC panels also increased over the period; most of these were high power panels shipped by Canadian Solar. Of the top ten destinations in 2019, the Netherlands, Japan, Australia and Mexico were the main importers of Chinese mono PERC panels; India and Brazil were the main importers of multi-Si panels.

As a result of advanced technology and increasing demand for larger cells, the power of 72-cell mono PERC panels improved significantly, from 370W to 380W in the first half of the year and then to 385W to 400W in December.

5°) The emerging market for n

The year 2019 saw the adoption of large-scale n-panel projects, with approximately 621 MW delivered during the year. Most of these included Jinko PERT panels and Jolywood TOPCon panels, which were shipped to Brazil. Type N panels were shipped in large quantities to Oman and El Salvador.

However, the Type N panels did not compare well in market share with PERC panels, which are becoming cheaper and more efficient.

6°) Trends 2019

a°) A growing demand for panels made of larger cells: in 2019, M2 (156.75 mm) size cells were predominant, accounting for 86% of Chinese panel exports in 2019. Panels using 158.75 mm cells accounted for only 13% of the total. The proportion of larger cell sizes increases each quarter.

b°) Exports of special half-cut, MBB + HC (multi-bar + half-cut) panels have increased sixfold: Chinese exports of special panels increased from 2.5 GW in 2018 to 18.5 GW in 2019. This can be broken down into semi-cut panels which increased from 2.1 GW to 13 GW; panels assembled with MBB + half-cut cells for 2.4 GW; shingle panels which also increased from 0.3 GW to 1.6 GW.

On the export side, Jinko and Risen accounted for the highest volume of single half-cut PERC panels; Canadian Solar accounted for most of the multi-Si panels with half-cut cells; and Jinko and Risen accounted for most of the multi-Si panels with half-cut cells. cut cell multi-Si panels; Trina dominated mono PERC panels with MBB + half cut cell design; Huansheng Solar, Canadian Solar and LONGi provided the preponderance of shingled panels.

c°) Bifacial exports increased every month from Q4 2018 to Q4 2019, with most of the growth occurring in the second half of 2019. China shipped 2.7 GW of bifacial panels in 2019. Mexico, the United Arab Emirates and Brazil are the three major export markets. Cumulative exports of bifacial panels to the United States jumped to 337 MW at the end of 2019 after the panels were exempted from Section 201 tariffs in October. As a result, the US overtook Egypt to become the fourth largest importer of two-sided panels.

d°) The top five suppliers exporting dual-sided panels in 2019: JA Solar, LONGi, Jinko, Risen and Jolywood.

7°) conclusion :

- Exports of Chinese panels jumped in 2019 thanks to sustained demand in European and emerging markets. Single PERC G1 72-cell PERC panels assembled with half-cut or MBB + half-cut cells can reach a power of 400 W.

- Due to the New Year and the epidemic, panel exports are expected to slow down this year and then pick up again, albeit at a lower level than in 2019. The G1 size is expected to become the standard format for mono PERC panels this year; MBB + half-cut cells may overtake half-cut cells to become common. Exports of double-sided panels to the US increased in the second half of the year due to their exclusion from Section 201 tariffs.

PV InfoLink of 3 March

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