Yesterday marked the beginning of PV Taiwan (Taiwan International Photovoltaic Forum and Exhibition), a three-day long event that will include Motech, GLC, OCT, and other major PV manufacturers sharing their development plans for the future. First-tier Chinese manufacturer GCL has already revealed their current profit figures, reaffirming their status as an industry leader. Looking towards the future, EnergyTrend, a green energy research division of TrendForce, the PV industry will likely remain in a state of oversupply in 2012. Furthermore, as capacity continues to expand, downward adjustment of polysilicon price is inevitable, but major manufacturers will still have an advantage in terms of price-setting.

EnergyTrend believes that as GCL will present formidable competition to upstream polysilicon and Si wafer manufacturers, makers already at a disadvantage in terms of capacity and funding will face an even tougher challenge. As for downstream solar cell manufacturers, first-tier makers already cooperating with GCL should benefit, but as for mid and small-sized manufacturers, whether they will be able to enjoy the same prices as first-tier makers depends on the terms that they can offer to GCL.