According to a recent analysis from IMS Research, crystalline PV module supplier Suntech shipped more modules during the second quarter than any other company. The Chinese supplier shipped more modules in the quarter than thin-film rival First Solar for the first time since the third quarter of 2008 to become the largest supplier to the global PV module market during the quarter.
Although First Solar, a U.S.-based producer of cadmium telluride PV modules, topped the production rankings in the second quarter, not all of its modules were shipped in the quarter, and its shipments actually declined from the previous quarter.
Sharp maintained its position as the third-largest supplier in the quarter – a position it has now held for the last four quarters. However, fourth- and fifth-place Trina Solar and Yingli grew their shipments significantly (by 16% and 14%, respectively) over the previous quarter. High demand and full utilization of production capacities also enabled the two suppliers to increase their gross margins to 32.1% and 33.5%, respectively.
SOURCE: IMS Research
