SEMI Release Global 2nd Quarter PV Details

SEMI reported the worldwide PV manufacturing equipment billings and bookings for the second quarter of 2012. After declining to its lowest level in the previous quarter since the start of the data program, worldwide billings increased slightly in the second quarter, up two percent quarter-on-quarter. However, the reported billings of $706 million were only 35 percent of the billings reported in the same quarter a year ago. Excluding the one-time large order reported in the previous quarter, worldwide bookings extended its six-quarter declining trend, falling 20 percent for the quarter to $235 million, reaching its lowest level since Q1 2010.  At 0.33, the book-to-bill ratio stayed below parity for the fifth consecutive quarter.

Overcapacity and falling prices continue to plague the PV industry, and the extremely challenging environment for PV equipment suppliers worldwide is likely to persist due to low booking activities from PV manufacturers, coupled with no near-term signs of recovery. Thus it is vital that equipment suppliers focus on long-term strategy to withstand the challenge.