Top 10 global solar panel manufacturers in 2013:

1. Yingli (China) – 13 million solar panels
2. Trina Solar (China) – 10 million solar panels
3. Canadian Solar (China) – 8 million solar panels
4. Sharp (Japan) – 8 million solar panels
5. Jinko Solar (China) – 7 million solar panels
6. First Solar (USA) – 7 million solar panels
7. ReneSola (China) – 7 million solar panels
8. Kyocera (Japan) – 5 million solar panels
9. JA Solar (China) – 5 million solar panels
10. Hanwha SolarOne (China) – 5 million solar panels

According to IHS the top 15 manufactures collectively accounted for nearly 60% of all solar panels produced in 2013. The PV module supplier base further consolidated in 2013 and we are expecting even less and larger suppliers for 2014.

From the top 10 suppliers, 7 are from China, 2 from Japan, and 1 from the USA. The USA solar panel manufacturer is a specialist in thin film (First Solar). The Japanese suppliers (Sharp and Kyocera) are both part of a larger electronics conglomerate, and can be grouped with other companies like Hyundai, Samsung, Sanyo and LG. These companies are often a safe choice given their large parent organization.

The Chinese firms are clearly focused on their large production capacity to provide value for money solar panels.  It clearly shows that between 2008 and 2013 large Chinese firms (Yingli, Trina, Canadian and Jinko) have gained positions in the top 10 ranks, with USA and Japanese firms losing positions. The following picture gives an overview of how the ranks changed between 2008 and 2012:

Conclusions about the changing ranks are mostly made based on the companies that are not present or declining. The high efficiency manufacturers (Panasonic and Sunpower) that have had a top 10 place for the last few years are no longer present. Combined with the decline of First Solar (from 2 to 6) shows that neither high efficiency nor thin film panels seem to achieve scale in the current market, and solar panels are becoming more and more a homogeneous commodity made by large Chinese companies.

However, in recent years China has allowed bankruptcies in solar panels, and the Suntech case (from number 1 in 2010 and 2011 towards number 3 in 2012 towards bankrupt now) shows that even the largest Chinese manufacturers can no longer survive unless they make a profit. And with many Chines suppliers still writing losses, it makes it all the more important (and difficult) to select a reliable solar panel manufacturer. In the meantime you can already check which local installers use these top 10 panel brands by entering your postcode on www.CompareMySolar.co.uk

Last summer (September 2012) was the all-time low for ice levels in the artic. Only about 3.5 million square kilometers were left, whereas the average low point is about 6.5 million square kilometers between 1981 and 2010. At the same time on the other side of the world the Antartic is reaching record ice levels of 19.5 million square km versus an average of 18.5. Still that leaves 2 million square km of ice that dissapeared, about 8 times the size of the United Kingdom.The National Snow and Ice Data Center in the USA keeps day-to-day track of the extend of ice levels in both the Artic and the Antartic. The graphs for both poles are shown below:

The Artic ice has strongly recovered from their all-time-low in 2012, with current levels being about 2 million square km larger than last years’ low. Combining this with the additional ice on the antartic leaves a similar ice level as seen during 1981 and 2010 on average.

The Antartic ice has seen record years in both 2012 and 2013. It clearly shows that the climate is changing, but for now the doom stories of ice-free oceans seem a bit off, although the US navy is predicting an ice-free artic by 2016 according to the Guardian.

Question remains what will happen in future years, will we see new record lows and an ice free Artic or will things return to normal? Maybe a better question is if we want to risk creating a world where the Artic is ice-free. We think not, and believe the sun should shine on solar panels rather than risk melting the Artic.

The following table shows the best rates per kWh for each of the big six suppliers, with links to reviews and rates for all of their available tariffs:

Big Six – Overview of best Electricity Price per kWh (December 2013)

Note: price in pence per kWh based on yearly usage of Low (2100 kWh), Medium (3300 kWh) or High (5100 kWh) electricity user based in London postcode.

Review of best electricity tariffs based on price / kWh:

• Low user: best use nPower Price Fix April 2015 – 14.9 pence, save 66 pounds versus worst supplier (Scottish Power)
• Medium user: best use Eon Energy Fixed 1 Year December 2014 – 14.4 pence, save 46 pounds versus worst supplier (Scottish Power)
• High user: best use Eon Energy Fixed 1 Year December 2014 – 13.5 pence, save 70 pounds versus worst supplier (nPower)

The fact that nPower has got the best rate for low users and the worst rate for high users is caused by their fixed rate without standing charges. Low users pay a great rate and no standing charges, whereas high users pay a not so great rate. It shows that estimating your actual usage is key in finding the best electricity supplier.

Furthermore, savings of 45-70 pounds are useful, but with solar panels you could get an annual return of up to 900 pounds per year. Hence our advice stays: don’t switch (supplier) but swap (to solar panels).

nPower – Overview of Electricity Price per kWh (December 2013)

Note: price in pence per kWh based on yearly usage of Low (2100 kWh), Medium (3300 kWh) or High (5100 kWh) electricity user based in London postcode.

Review of nPower Tariffs:

• Standard Variable (Standing Charge: none, Unit Rate: 17.23 pence) – Fully variable, no cancellation fees, 90 pound discount if you take both gas and electricity, but at a large premium of 2.36 pence/kWh. Will cost 50-120 pounds more per year depending on usage. Best only if strong price falls (15% or more) are expected over next year.
• Price Fix April 2015 (Standing Charge: none, Unit Rate: 14.87 pence) – Fixed, will not fall if prices fall, no cancellation fees, 90 pound discount if you take both gas and electricity. Best rate from nPower.
• Price Protector December 2016 (Standing Charge: none, Unit Rate: 16.85 pence) – Fixed for longer, but at a premium of nearly 2 pence/kWh, 90 pound discount if you take both gas and electricity. Will cost 40-100 pounds more per year depending on usage. Best if price rises of 20%+  are expected during next three years.

Scottish Power – Overview of Electricity Price per kWh (December 2013)

Note: price in pence per kWh based on yearly usage of Low (2100 kWh), Medium (3300 kWh) or High (5100 kWh) electricity user based in London postcode.

Review of Scottish PowerTariffs:

• Standard Variable (Standing Charge: 27 pence, Unit Rate: 14.71 pence) – Fully variable, no cancellation fees, but at a large premium of 2.7 pence/kWh. Will cost 55-140 pounds more per year depending on usage. Too expensive, better fix for February 2015
• Online Fixed Price February 2015 (Standing Charge: 34 pence, Unit Rate: 12.03 pence) – Fixed, will not fall if prices fall, 25 pound cancellation fees, online access only. Best rate from Scottish Power.
• Fixed Price Energy December 2015 (Standing Charge: 27 pence, Unit Rate: 14.71 pence) – Fixed for longer, 25 pound cancellation fees, at a premium of 2.7 pence/kWh. Will cost 55-140 pounds more per year depending on usage. Too expensive, better fix for February 2015.

SSE (Southern Electric) – Overview of Electricity Price per kWh (December 2013)

Note: price in pence per kWh based on yearly usage of Low (2100 kWh), Medium (3300 kWh) or High (5100 kWh) electricity user based in London postcode.

Review of SSE (Southern Electric)Tariffs:

• Standard Variable (Standing Charge: 15 pence, Unit Rate: 14.57 pence) – Fully variable, no cancellation fees, but at a large premium of 1.5 pence/kWh. Will cost 30-75 pounds more per year depending on usage. Best rate only if price falls of 10% are expected during next year, otherwise fix for one year.
• Energy Fixed 1 Year (Standing Charge: 15 pence, Unit Rate: 13.08 pence) – Fixed, will not fall if prices fall, 50 pound cancellation fees. Best rate from SSE (Southern Electric).
• Energy Fixed 2 Year (Standing Charge: 15 pence, Unit Rate: 14.57 pence) – Fixed for longer, 50 pound cancellation fees, at a premium of 1.5 pence/kWh. Will cost 30-75 pounds more per year depending on usage. Best if price rises of 10%+  are expected during next year.

Comparison of Eon Energy rates per kWh for currently available electricity tariffs. Following our price comparison of standard electricity rates of the big six suppliers, we focus on all available rates from Eon Energy: Standard, Energy Fixed 1 Year and Energy Fixed 2 Years. Which tariff is best for those that expect significant price rises or price drops? 

Eon Energy – Overview of Electricity Price per kWh (December 2013)

Note: price in pence per kWh based on yearly usage of Low (2100 kWh), Medium (3300 kWh) or High (5100 kWh) electricity user based in London postcode.

Review of Eon Energy Tariffs:

• Standard Variable (Standing Charge: 26 pence, Unit Rate: 14.52 pence) – Fully variable, no cancellation fees, 20 pound discount if you take both gas and electricity, but at a large premium of 2.75 pence/kWh. Will cost 60-140 pounds more per year depending on usage. Too expensive, better to fix for one year (see below)
• Energy Fixed 1 Year (Standing Charge: 24 pence, Unit Rate: 11.77 pence) – Fixed, will not fall if prices fall, 5 pound cancellation fees, 20 pound discount if you take both gas and electricity. Best rate from Eon Energy.
• Energy Fixed 2 Year (Standing Charge: 25 pence, Unit Rate: 12.36 pence) – Fixed for longer, but at a premium of 0.59 pence/kWh, 20 pound discount if you take both gas and electricity. Will cost 12-30 pounds more per year depending on usage. Best if price rises of 10%+  are expected during next two years.

Expected solar FiT rates from April 2014:

Up to 4 kWp: down 3.5% from 14.9 pence towards 14.4 pence
4-10 kWp: down 3.5% from 13.5 pence towards 13 pence

The FiT rate degression could be higher (7% drop) if installations in December and January are high, but due to the Christmas period this is unlikely.

At the same time, there could be a benefit of installing solar before 1st of January 2014. Normally the FiT rate is adjusted for Retail Price Inflation in April of each year, but you need to have solar installed in the year before. Hence people installing before 2014 could see an increase of their FiT rate by April. The RPI is expected to be around 3% so you could benefit of an increased rate of 15.4 pence if the inflation adjustment goes ahead in April 2014.

EDF Energy – Overview of Electricity Price per kWh (December 2013)

Note: price in pence per kWh based on yearly usage of Low (2100 kWh), Medium (3300 kWh) or High (5100 kWh) electricity user based in London postcode.

Review of EDF Energy Tariffs:

• Standard Variable (Standing Charge:18.9 pence, Unit Rate: 14.14 pence) – Fully variable, no cancellation fees, but at a premium of 1.50 pence/kWh. Will cost 31-77 pounds more per year depending on usage. Only use if strong price falls (15% plus) expected in next 18 months.

• Blue+Price Promise April 2015 (Standing Charge: 18.9 pence, Unit Rate: 12.64 pence) – Fixed, will not fall if prices fall, no cancellation fees, free EnergySmart monitor. Best price option.

• Blue+Price Freeeeze March 2017 (Standing Charge: 18.9 pence, Unit Rate: 14.95 pence) – Fixed, will not fall if prices fall, no cancellation fee, but at a premium of 2.31 pence/kWh. Will cost 50-118 pounds more per year depending on usage. Only use if very strong price rises (20% plus) expected in next 18 months.

British Gas – Overview of Electricity Price per kWh (December 2013)

Note: price in pence per kWh based on yearly usage of Low (2100 kWh), Medium (3300 kWh) or High (5100 kWh) electricity user based in London postcode.

Review of British Gas Tariffs:

• Standard Variable (Standing Charge: 26 pence, Unit Rate: 12.39 pence) – Fully variable, no cancellation fees, free EnergySmart monitor.
• Fix and Fall Feb 2015 (Standing Charge: 26 pence, Unit Rate: 12.39 pence) – Fixed, but will fall if prices fall, no cancellation fees, free EnergySmart monitor. Best option if price falls are expected.
• Fix and Gift Card May 2015 (Standing Charge: 26 pence, Unit Rate: 12.39 pence) – Fixed, will not fall if prices fall, £30 cancellation fee, £50 Gift Card. Best option if price rises are expected.
• Fixed Price March 2016 (Standing Charge: 26 pence, Unit Rate: 13.23 pence) – Fixed for longer, but at a premium of 0.84 pence/kWh. Will cost 18-43 pounds more per year depending on usage.