This is an IHS News Flash covering the Top 10 predictions for the global photovoltaic market in 2013, from the IHS Solar service at information and analytics provider IHS (NYSE: IHS).

“The photovoltaic industry is in the midst of wrenching change—buffeted by government incentive cuts and nose-diving prices that has hurt solar suppliers worldwide, rocked by trade disputes among its major players, and hamstrung by a sputtering global economy,” said Ash Sharma, director, solar research at IHS. “However, there are some bright spots ahead: Solar installations are on the rise, technology is becoming more efficient, and a weak EU market roiled by financial turmoil will be offset by an ascendant China and the United States.”

PV module prices increased by 7% in December 2011 due to a temporary pick-up in demand ahead of FiT reductions in a number of key markets according to the latest monthly pricing report from IMS Research. Strong demand during the year-end rally saw installers buying PV modules from distributors at inflated prices. The survey found that installers were desperate to secure supply and complete installations before incentive levels were reduced, particularly in Germany where 3 GW of installations were connected in December alone. However, the survey also found that price increases were only temporary and both module suppliers and buyers expect price drops again in January.

Germany’s BELECTRIC developed more than 300 MW of PV systems in 2010, propelling it to the top of IMS Research’s 2010 Global PV System Integrator Rankings. The company (formerly known as Beck Energy) narrowly edged out Germany-based juwi, and ranked five places ahead of 2009 leader Q-Cells International, which saw close to zero MW growth last year.