Top Solar Firm Warns Excess Capacity Risks Wave of Failures

China's world-leading solar industry could face a wave of bankruptcies if the current aggressive expansion of manufacturing capacity continues, according to the sector's biggest player. From a report: More than half of China's solar manufacturers could be forced out in the next two to three years because of excess capacity, Li Zhenguo, president of Longi Green Energy Technology, said during an interview Wednesday on the sidelines of the SNEC PV Power Expo in Shanghai. 'Those that will be hurt first will be those that are not prepared sufficiently,' he said. Companies with weaker finances and less-advanced technology are most at risk, according to Li.

The global solar market is growing rapidly, with installations expected to rise 36% this year to 344 gigawatts, according to BloombergNEF. But factories are expanding even faster. One step in the supply chain alone -- producing the polysilicon that goes into the panels -- will see capacity rise enough to produce 600 gigawatts this year, BloombergNEF analyst Jenny Chase said in a presentation at SNEC earlier this week. 'There will be a price crash, it will hurt, and there will probably be bankruptcies across the industry,' she said. Others pushed back against overcapacity concerns. Companies that are expanding are doing so because their customers need it, said Li Junfeng, executive council member of the China Energy Research Society.

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