July 13, 2017 Source: Photovoltaics

Recently, the UK Consulting and Research Corporation announced the “2017-2021 China Polysilicon Industry Research Report”. The data shows that China's polysilicon production in 2016 was 194,000 tons, up 17.5% year-on-year; wafer production was about 63 GW, up 31.2% year-on-year. The output of photovoltaic cells was 53 GW, up 20.7% year-on-year; the newly installed capacity of solar power was 34.5 GW, up 127% year-on-year; the cumulative installed capacity was 77.42 GW.

In 2016, China's exports of wafers, cells and components were approximately US$13.84 billion, down 11.3% year-on-year. Exports to emerging countries such as India, Turkey, Chile, and Pakistan have increased significantly, while exports to Western traditional markets have fallen below 30%. According to the report, the decline in China's PV exports in 2016 was mainly due to the fact that many domestic PV companies have set up factories overseas.

By the end of June 2017, the effective annual production capacity of China's polysilicon was about 230,000 tons, an increase of 20,000 tons compared with the end of 2016. GCL-Poly, TBEA, and Grand New Energy are leading companies in this respect. Analysts predict that by the end of 2017, China's annual production capacity of polysilicon will reach 25-260,000 tons.

The report said: As the demand for polysilicon in China's PV industry will increase in the next few years, some emerging investors, such as the Oriental Hope Group, have announced their entry into the market. Dongfang Hope Group is currently investing in a polysilicon plant with an annual production capacity of 120,000 tons in Changji, Xinjiang. Upon completion, the group will become China's largest polysilicon producer.