"The development of photovoltaic markets worldwide is positive. 2010 the demand for machines will rise significantly. Therefore, turnover expectations in the photovoltaic machinery sector are considerably higher than they are for the machinery industry in general", Fath continues. According to the survey, only 15 per cent of the companies report short-time work, expectations for next year amount to 10 percent. More than half of the companies plan to increase their personnel.

However, the slump in orders in 2009 has left traces: While VDMA's quarterly statistics for photovoltaic equipment reported orders on hand of 10.2 production months by the end of the year, the companies' current estimation amounts to an average of 5.4 months. This is only slightly more than for the machinery industry as a whole. "Our clients need to place new investments in order to continuously reduce their production costs. That is the only way for photovoltaics to stay in the race", Fath is certain.

"Together with our quarterly statistics which we have introduced in 2008 the business climate survey completes our tool set for the market observation of the photovoltaics equipment sector. This way companies can see how they are positioned. On the other hand  we can perfectly represent the industry with this comprehensive data background", comments Dr. Eric Maiser, Managing Director of VDMA Photovoltaic Equipment. The results of the quarterly statistics for the year 2009 will be published by the end of April.