The domestic photovoltaic industry is currently suffering from “labor pains” caused by over-expansion of the industry, overcapacity, and lack of innovation by some enterprises; internationally “reviewing”, strict anti-dumping investigations, high taxation, and other stringent restrictions have emerged one after another.

In the midst of internal and external problems, some photovoltaic companies have begun to search for a way out. The transformation and upgrade seems to have become a “battle for some companies.” Some experts believe that photovoltaic companies should achieve specialized operations and master the initiative in core technologies to dominate their own destiny. ".

Photovoltaic industry "internal and diplomatic difficulties"

The photovoltaic industry, which is the vanguard of the development of China's new energy industry, experienced explosive growth in previous years. As a result of the speed of light, it has created a number of new energy industry "predators." However, since last year, more than 90% of PV companies in China are facing losses, production cuts and production suspension. To make matters worse, the United States, the European Union, and India have recently launched anti-dumping investigations on China's photovoltaic companies, and domestic photovoltaic companies are vital to success.

Under the low price dumping of polysilicon in the European Union and the United States and South Korea, three of the seven polycrystalline silicon companies listed on the A-share market have ceased production, according to statistics from the Silicon Industry Branch of the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association. From a national point of view, at present, of the 43 polysilicon enterprises that have already put into production, only 7-8 enterprises are still under construction. The rest have closed production lines and the production rate has exceeded 80%.

At the beginning of 2012, four companies that required applicants to carry out “double reverse” investigations on polysilicon from the European Union could still start construction. By the second quarter of 2012, Luoyang Silicon and LDK of the four application companies were almost completely shut down.

Just one month after the European Union initiated the anti-dumping investigation application, companies such as the Big Brand New Energy, Suntech Power, and JA Solar, which are listed in the United States, frequently received delisting warnings because their share prices continued to drop below US$1. On November 16, LDK received a delisting warning from the NYSE and became the fourth Chinese PV company to face the US delisting since August this year.

The reliance on external demand has been exposed. It is reported that the majority of listed photovoltaic companies still account for more than 50% of the export volume. How domestic photovoltaic companies emerge from the predicament has become the focus of social concern.

"Winter" seeks transformation

In recent years, the photovoltaic industry in Hainan has risen suddenly. A few days ago, the Hainan Provincial Government signed a strategic framework cooperation agreement with Yingli Group to build an important R&D, production and export base of Yingli Group in Hainan, plan to build a regional headquarters in the South, and promote the development of new energy industry in Hainan. Comprehensively strengthen pragmatic cooperation. Taking Yingli as an example, the company recently held a transformation and mobilization meeting, announcing that it will transform from a business model to a marketing model, and comprehensively upgrade its management, technology, quality, brand and team in five areas to seek greater development space for the company.

The conversion efficiency has been raised and the production cost has dropped, which has become a key issue for enterprises to enhance their competitiveness. "Especially when the homogeneity of the current product is high, high-efficiency battery products mean high added value and stronger competitiveness," said Song Dengyuan, chief strategy officer of Yingli Group.

"For the R&D of solar cells, it is difficult to achieve large-scale industrial production simply by pursuing the improvement of solar cell conversion efficiency regardless of cost. Only the 'low-cost, high-efficiency' solar cells will be accepted by the market to compete with conventional energy sources. As soon as possible, solar power is available at a cheaper price.” Song Dengyuan said that the average photoelectric conversion efficiency of “Panda” N-type single crystal high-efficiency solar cells reached 19.5%, more than one percentage point higher than that of ordinary solar cells, and the cost was reduced by more than 30% compared with similar companies. . Independent innovation is becoming a long-term driving force for the development of the enterprise and has become a core competitive advantage for the company's growth.

In fact, under the circumstances that the photovoltaic industry has been over-developed and overcapacity, companies continue to enter Hainan and put into operation one after another. As early as this March, Hanergy Haikou solar photovoltaic industry R & D and manufacturing base was formally put into production in Haikou.

At the 8th Pan-Pearl Convention Consultation held recently, the participants pointed out that the prospects for the current photovoltaic industry caused by the downturn in the international market are worrisome. It is recommended that the General Assembly adopt the meeting of executive heads to jointly promote the introduction of practical policies and measures by the state. The use of terminal products such as large solar power generation fully exploits the domestic market, resolves outstanding problems existing in the company at the current stage, and promotes the widespread application of new energy products in China, achieving industrial development and energy conservation and consumption reduction.

What is the way out for the photovoltaic industry?

“In the short-term, PV companies will experience a process of sorting and survival of the fittest to a certain extent, but the surviving enterprises will have strong competitiveness.” Some experts said.

Analysts believe that although the industry is unlikely to have great opportunities in the short term, in the medium to long term, photovoltaic listed companies with policy support and core competencies will be the first to benefit.

At present, how to break through the technical barriers between the United States and Europe has clearly become a top priority for today's photovoltaic companies. Some experts said that the entire photovoltaic industry should still focus on improving technology, rather than relying on the government's endless support. Li Hejun, chairman of the board of directors of Hanergy Holding Group, believes that the main reason for the current development difficulties of Jingsil Silicon lies in the problem of industrial structure. 50% or more of the crystalline silicon production enterprises will be eliminated, and the remaining companies will regain profits, perhaps to The whole industry will improve in the second half of next year.

“The US's 'dual-reaction' policy has disadvantages for China. The disadvantage is that it will cause difficulties for China's PV industry, but it will allow the PV industry to move into the domestic market, and China will become a big country for photovoltaic use.” Li Hejun Say.

"At present, China's photovoltaic industry is in trouble, an important reason is the industry itself lacks standardized management, blind expansion of enterprises, disorderly competition. To get out of the predicament, we must rely on industry consolidation and upgrading." Said Li Junfeng, deputy director of the National Development and Reform Commission Energy Research Institute. .

Xiao Zhong, a researcher of China Investment Advisor New Energy Industry Group, believes that photovoltaic companies should achieve specialized operations. The biggest benefit is that they will provide tremendous help to the company's scientific and technological R&D, capital use, and strategic decision-making. Companies will invest more funds and management in the company. In the business of the camp, its core competitiveness is expected to increase.