1H20 module shipment rankings: Jinko secures top spot

According to InfoLink’s database, Jinko has retained the top spot for module shipments in the first half of 2020. Longi, which grabbed more market share with over 7 GW of module shipment, climbing to the runner-up place for the first time. The rest of the top-eight were, sequentially, Trina and JA Solar respectively with over 5 GW of shipment, Canadian Solar, Hanwha Q Cells, Risen, First Solar, Astronergy, and Suntech.

The new rankings reflect a slight reshuffling over last year’s top 10 companies. In addition, the module shipments saw sharp increase in dominance of large Chinese manufacturers due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a rapid shift in module power output.

The first half of the year saw Tier-1 manufacturers edging out smaller manufacturers through leveraging their cost competitiveness, rapid upgrade to large format products, and secured overseas logistics channels. The top 10 suppliers dominated around 85% of global module demand in the first half of the year, compared to 60%–70% over the past one year or two. This change suggests that the module sector becomes increasingly concentrated this year. 

Notably, Chinese module makers holding large domestic market share delivered significantly higher shipments over the six-month period, as China accounted for the lion’s share of global demand amid the COVID-19 pandemic. From a China Customs perspective, the top six positions in terms of module exports for the same period were sequentially held by Jinko, JA Solar, Canadian Solar, Trina, Longi, and Risen. 

Looking ahead to the second half, Tier-1 manufacturers will not just strive to increase their shipments but also jostle to roll out new products. Other than the high-power output modules showcased at this year’s SNEC, bifacial modules, whose market share is growing this year, is also worth noting. Bifacial projects are forecast to account for over 30% of ground-mounted projects in China in the second half and most of the bifacial modules will be delivered by Tier-1 makers with top positions in the module shipment rankings.