Chinese output of solar PV products along the supply chain, from polysilicon to modules, increased by more than 65% YoY between January 2023 and June 2023, according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT).
The ministry's Department of Electronic Information said Chinese companies produced over 606,000 tons of polysilicon during the period, representing an increase of 66.1% from last year when the country rolled out 365,000 tons.
Silicon wafer production during H1/2023 improved by 65.8% over 152.8 GW in the previous year to exceed 253.4 GW. Even the annual production of crystalline silicon solar cells rose 65.7% YoY to 224.5 GW. During H1/2022, the country produced 135.5 GW of solar cells.
In terms of crystalline silicon solar modules, China grew its output during the period by 65% YoY from 123.6 GW to more than 204 GW (see China's Solar PV Production Capacity In H1/2022).
Overall, the Chinese industry exported 108 GW solar modules with a 37.3% annual improvement. Total export volume of PV products during H1/2023 reached $28.92 billion, representing an increase of 11.6% over the same period last year, shared the ministry.
China Photovoltaic Industry Association (CPIA) recently revised its forecast for annual solar PV installations in China to 120 GW to 140 GW, raising it from 95 GW to 120 GW going by the official installation number of 78.42 GW for H1/2023 (see CPIA Raises Solar Installation Forecast For 2023).