In 2008 demand exceeded supply of solar cell polysilicon, but that situation is likely to reverse in 2009 according to analysts Displaybank. In 2009 the market will supply an estimated 7.9 GW of capacity to meet a demand of 7.8 GW. The oversupply situation in 2010 is expected to be greater.

The solar cell market is growing at over 40 percent CAGR. Lack of supply has led to a spot supply price of US$400 ($600 per kg). According to Displaybank, the severe over supply situation in 2010 is expected to drop the price of solar cell-use polysilicon to US$63 ($96) for the long-term supply and US$100 ($152) for the spot supply. In 2010, an estimated 15.0 GW of solar cell-use polysilicon will be available when demand will be at 11 GW.

Displaybank analyst, Alex Kang, forecasts the situation that “there is a high probability that the large-scale investments planned by companies entering the market are delayed until 1H, 2010 as the global economic recession worsens. And if existing polysilicon makers cut their utilisation rate, the market will undergo a short supply situation after the short term (2009 to 2010) oversupply of solar cell-use polysilicon".