The disparity is growing

摘要

This year the world map of the solar thermal industry appears for the fourth time. Since the start in 2007 with 177 companies, participation has grown strongly to 248 flat plate, air and vacuum tube (collector) manufacturers this time. The disparity between the industry in and outside China has continued to grow. The five largest Chinese vacuum tube collector manufacturers produced far more collector area in 2009 than the 167 flat plate collector manufacturers listed on the world map put together.In 2009 the world solar thermal market was split into two unequal halves. The European manufac-I turers fought with diminishing demand on the main markets and with high price pressures and over-capacity.