China’s PV panel makers are profitable once more

Follows two years of losses.

Analysts said China's top solar-panel makers are returning to profitability after surging Asian demand drove up margins in the second quarter.

Yingli Green Energy Holding Company, China’s largest PV panel maker, reported gross margin of 11.8% in the second quarter, up from 4.6% a year earlier.

JinkoSolar Holding Company is already profitable after its margins doubled to 17.%. The gross margin of Trina Solar Ltd. rose to 11.6% and the company expects to be profitable in the fourth quarter.

PV panel makers are benefiting from increasing demand in China and Japan, which are set to become the top two solar markets this year.

Analysts said the second quarter results are the turning point for the PV module industry and a return to profitability.