Capacity, output and shipments: three different measures of China’s PV industry

Manufacturing capacity, actual production and shipments answer different questions. Comparing them without clear definitions can create a misleading picture of industry conditions.

Keep the stage and period visible

Distinguish a planned production line from equipment installation, trial production and an operating facility. Record whether output and shipment data cover a month, quarter or year.

Check the product scope

Do not add figures for different manufacturing stages as if they represented the same final output. Wafers, cells and modules can move through several companies before an installation is completed.

Preserve the original basis

Retain the issuing organisation, release date, geographical coverage and any methodological notes. A company statement, association estimate and official statistic may have different coverage.

When a number cannot be reconciled, mark it for review rather than choosing the most convenient figure. Our data resources preserve source links so readers can examine the original definitions.