The overall supply and demand in the market were gradually returning to normal this week. Some parts of the supply chain were still under the impact of the shortage in raw materials or the increase in transportation costs. The overall production and operation were basically stable. It is expected that these increased costs would be reflected in subsequent transactions. Judging from the recent developments of COVID-19, the global market continued to be under the impact of the epidemic. However, the extensive supply chain in China can still meet the basic market demand. Given enough time, China’s domestic demand will eventually rebound. Regarding the overseas market demand, the number of PV construction projects should rise or fall, depending on the development of the new coronavirus.
Polysilicon
The prices of polysilicon began crumbling this week. Coinciding with the time where the end-of-month average contract prices were discussed, there were more and more suppliers voicing their wishes to raise prices. A number of the buyers have accepted the price increase, especially when the deals involved mono-grade polysilicon. The market for polysilicon, however, was not heating up. With regard to the overseas market for polysilicon, 2 major manufacturers have announced their plans to reduce supply. The news has not reflected in the market—at least in the short run. Its ripple effect remains to be seen.
In the Chinese domestic market, the price range of mono-grade polysilicon is revised up to RMB 71~ 75/KG. The average price is revised up to RMB 73/KG. The price range of the polysilicon is revised up to RMB 50~ 55/KG. The average price is revised up to RMB 53/KG. Affected by exchange rate fluctuations, the range of the overseas price is lowered to US$8.58~ 8.96/KG. The average price is lowered to US$8.73 /KG. The global average price is increased to US$8.71 /KG.
Wafers
The prices of wafers remained stable this week. There were few changes in the average contract prices which the major manufacturers announced at the end of month. However, there were some slight changes in the developments of the multi- and mono-Si products. The supply of mono-Si products was increased. Therefore there was more room for price negotiation, which led to price differences between larger and smaller manufacturers. Regarding the multi-Si products, the supply was already limited, coupled with a stable demand, the prices continued to show a flattened trend.
In the overseas market, the price range of the multi-Si wafer remains unchanged at US$0.190~0.195 /Pc at the moment. The price of the black silicon products remains unchanged at US$0.246 /Pc. The price range of the 156.75 mm mono-Si wafer remains unchanged at US$0.380~ 0.421/Pc. The price range of the large size wafer (158.75 mm) is revised up to US$0.423~ 0.530/Pc. The average price remains unchanged at US$0.430 /Pc.
In the Chinese domestic market, the price range of the 156.75 mm multi-Si wafer remains unchanged at RMB 1.52~1.56 /Pc. The price of black silicon products remains unchanged at RMB 1.94 /Pc. The price range of the cast-mono wafer remains unchanged at RMB 2.60~2.65 /Pc. The price range of the 156.75 mm mono-Si wafer remains unchanged at RMB 3.00~3.13 /Pc. The price range of the large size mono-Si wafer (158.75 mm) remains unchanged at RMB 3.28~3.37 /Pc. The price of the 166.75 mm wafer remains unchanged at RMB 3.40 /Pc.
PV Cells
Due to the various developments of different products in terms of the supply and demand, there were slight adjustments in the prices this week. The mono-Si manufacturers continued to provide products to the market without adjusting the volume according to the market demand, which led to supply excess. Multi-Si cells showed similar development as polysilicon and wafers. Both the supply and demand were limited. Therefore the prices managed to stay stable.
In the overseas market, the range of the general multi-Si cell price revision is US$0.077~ 0.110/W. The average price remains unchanged at US$0.080 /W. The range of the general mono-Si cell price revision is US$0.101~ 0.107/W. The average price remains unchanged at US$0.105 /W. The range of the high-efficiency mono-Si cell price revision is US$0.111~ 0.120/W. The average price remains unchanged at US$0.118 /W. The range of the superior high-efficiency mono-Si cell (>21.7%) price revision is US$0.115~ 0.168/W. The average price remained unchanged at US$0.130 /W.
In the Chinese domestic market, the price range of the general multi-Si cell is revised up to RMB 0.57~0.59 /W. The price of high-efficiency multi-Si cell remains unchanged at RMB 0.62 /W. The price range of the general mono-Si cell remains unchanged at RMB 0.80~0.85 /W. The price range of the high-efficiency mono-Si cell remains unchanged at RMB 0.89~0.95 /W. The range of the superior high-efficiency mono-Si cell (>21.7%) price revision is RMB 0.89~ 0.97 /W. The price of the bifacial superior high-efficiency mono-Si cells (21.7%) is revised down to RMB 0.99 /W.
Modules
The recent market developments started to reflect in the crumbling module market prices. With the gradual increase of the labor return rate in China, the market supply has also increased. In the overseas market, the cost of production has increased on account of the shortage in the raw materials of key supplementary materials and increased transportation costs. The prices of the modules which were domestically produced then exported have yet to be reflected in the market.
In the overseas market, the price range of the 60-cell general multi-Si (275W-280W) remains unchanged at US$0.195~0.229 /W at the moment. The average price is raised to US$0.205 /W. The range of the 72-cell high-efficiency multi-Si (325W-330W) price revision is US$0.198~ 0.223/W. The average price remains unchanged at US$0.218 /W. The range of the general mono-Si (305W-310W) price revision is US$0.221~ 0.390 /W. The average price is lowered to US$0.311 /W. The range of the high-efficiency mono-Si (315W-320W) price revision is US$0.227~ 0.350/W. The average price remains unchanged at US$0.284 /W. The range of the superior-high efficiency mono-Si (>320W) price revision is US$0.226~ 0.388/W. The average price is lowered to US$0.257 /W.
In the domestic market, the price range of the 60-cell general multi-Si (275W-280W) remains unchanged at RMB 1.50~ 1.61 /W. The price range of the 72-cell high-efficiency multi-Si (325W-330W) remains unchanged at RMB 1.58~1.63 /W. The price range of the general mono-Si (305W-310W) remains unchanged at RMB 1.65~ 1.70 /W. The range of the high-efficiency mono-Si (315W-320W) price revision is RMB 1.69~ 1.75 /W. The average price is lowered to RMB 1.72/W. The price range of the superior-high efficiency mono-Si (>320W) remains unchanged at RMB 1.72~ 1.78/W. The average price is lowered to RMB 1.75 /W.
(Image by Jukka Niittymaa from Pixabay)
(Analysis provided by Lions Shih, analyst at EnergyTrend. Translated by Emma Hsu, translator of TrendForce Corp.)
