The inventory glut of solar panels is starting to deplete due to strong demand from Germany, says iSuppli. The rise in German sales means that the global supply of solar panels now is expected to exceed demand by 65.9% in 2009, down from iSuppli's previous forecast announced in August of a 91.9% overage. "Solar-panel installations in Germany began surging to record levels in July as prices for Photovoltaic (PV) systems plunged," says Dr. Henning Wicht, iSuppli's senior director of photovoltaics research, "this phenomenon has boosted the global solar panel business and mitigated the severe oversupply situation that has stung the industry throughout this year." iSuppli now is forecasting that Germany will install 2.5 Gigawatts (GW) worth of solar panels in 2009, compared to its earlier forecast of 1.53GW. This will help drive worldwide demand for solar panels to 5.2GW in 2009, up from iSuppli's former expectation of 3.9GW. Nevertheless, global demand for solar panels still is expected to fall by 3.8% in 2009 compared to 2008, a dramatic change from the double-digit growth seen in recent years. The global PV market entered a severe downturn in early 2009 due to a sharp decline in expected installations in Spain. With suppliers ramping up production at a rapid pace, the drop in demand triggered a severe inventory pileup that caused prices to fall. Prices for solar systems in July fell by 20% compared to the beginning of the year. The German market seized on these attractive prices, spurring the massive increase in sales. Based on the massive oversupply situation in early 2009, it appeared that the panel glut would persist through the year 2010. However, with Germany exhibiting strong demand elasticity in the face of price reductions, the glut could be resolved as soon as next year, depending on how the industry reacts. "Supply and demand dynamics in the fourth quarter will set the tone on whether the oversupply situation continues in 2010," says Wicht, "if panel makers reduce production during the fourth quarter of this year, anticipating the seasonally weak first quarter in Germany, then supply and prices could stabilize." To maintain the investor momentum in the largest national market-Germany-system prices must be reduced by 10% again in 2010. Distributors and wholesalers already are preparing for the first quarter by announcing price reductions for 2010. This will help prevent a stall in sales, such as occurred in spring 2009. If the industry manufactures at its full capacity, there would be a panel oversupply of 75% in 2010 compared to expected installations. However, manufacturers are not expected to produce at full capacity due to issues including inventories, further strategy shifts, manufacturing cuts and consolidation, reducing the expected level of oversupply.
