In 2011,photovoltaic (PV) panel prices began to fall and have continued to fall throughout 2012; with this drop in prices,Chinese PV manufacturers have been under increasing pressure due to declining margins.With an increasingly commoditized and global marketplace,Chinese PV manufacturers have to look outside their core business to boost competitiveness and revenue.Many Chinese PV manufacturers are looking downstream to explore the benefits of project development on earnings.The ongoing debate about manufacturers diversifying downstream has divided market participants into two camps: pro.and con..Manufacturers have two choices when it comes to project development: original development or project acquisition.Each option comes with a unique set of challenges and risks,ranging from contractual and financial to permitting and technology risks. <<