Solar cell providers’ sales are set to rise starting from the fourth quarter this year as the industry is expected to pick up, analysts said on Tuesday.

“The last quarter is usually peak season for the solar cell industry, and China’s recent support measures for solar cell development will also be favorable to the solar companies,” said Lee Ung-joo, an analyst at Seoul-based Shinhan Investment Corp.

The securities firm said fourth-quarter profit of the local polysilicon provider OCI will markedly rise to 35 billion won ($32 million) from 5.7 billion won in the third quarter. The target stock price was predicted to rise to 210,000 won from 180,000 won.

The industry has not been favorable due to tariff disputes in some countries including European countries, the U.S., Korea and China. However, the industry is expected to pick up from the fourth quarter as disputes are settled.

The price is also bound to rise.

“The price of solar cells has been low for the past years with supply exceeding demand. Recently, with constant restructuring of small-sized companies, the demand and supply in the global market is balancing out,” said Won Yong-jin, a researcher at Hana Daetoo Securities.

(shinjh@heraldcorp.com)