The global polysilicon industry will undergo a major shakeout over the next two years, as the feedstock's epic 2011 price declines will continue through 2013. With new entrants bringing capacity online and incumbent suppliers fulfilling expansion plans fomented in the PV demand boom of yesterday, global polysilicon capacity is forecasted to double by 2013 over 2010 levels. In today's market of waning PV demand, this over-supply has already begun to open significant gaps in production scale and therefore cost structure between industry leaders and an increasingly marginalized group of new entrants.

The concept of "bankability" has taken the PV industry by storm. Modules, inverters, systems, and even developers are assessed according to their place on a bankability scale in order to receive project financing. But what does bankability mean, and how can suppliers achieve it? 

This year, technology will drive the industry forward to Smart Grid 2.0. Data analytics software will help utilities put to good use the data now pouring in from over 150 million installed smart meters globally. This year will see consumer getting new options for dynamic pricing, detailed usage information options, and prepayment from upgraded utility IT systems. We saw new consumer products emerge in 2011, and 2012 will be the year that brings wide adoption of these exciting new energy management devices, especially smart thermostats. And, renewables will continue their march across the world, as more businesses and residences begin adding power to the grid along with continued renewable initiatives by utilities. Changes in IT technology will able to better manage and control these resources in 2012.