Sudden Surge! Big News in the Photovoltaic Sector!
There is significant news coming from the photovoltaic (PV) industry chain as a sudden wave of price increases has drawn attention. The latest price data released by InfoLink Consulting indicates that products in the downstream segments of the industry have experienced varying degrees of price hikes. In March, the mainstream spot price for distributed components has risen to 0.8 CNY/W, marking an increase of over 33% compared to the low point at the end of 2024 (0.6 CNY/W).
Analysts attribute this surge to domestic policy influences, leading to a rush to install solar systems, particularly in the distributed market, resulting in a noticeable uptick in orders from March to April. Industry insiders believe that this price fluctuation is expected to last for about a month, with a return to reasonable pricing anticipated by late April. However, the price trends for the entire year remain somewhat uncertain.
The price surge is largely driven by the rush to install solar systems ahead of two significant policy deadlines on April 30 and May 31. As these deadlines approach, supply chain prices have continued to rise. According to InfoLink Consulting, there is a tightening supply situation across the industry chain, with some downstream distributors holding only minimal stock of components. Large-sized components are largely sold out, requiring pre-orders to secure supplies.
InfoLink highlights that the strong demand stemming from the upcoming installation deadlines and the rising costs in the battery segment have led to a continual increase in prices of silicon wafers over the past week. There have been few high-priced orders for components at 0.78 CNY/W to 0.8 CNY/W, but substantial transactions have yet to materialize. According to InfoLink’s latest data, the mainstream spot price for distributed components in March has reached 0.8 CNY/W, a significant rise from the previous year’s low.
In particular, LONGi Green Energy has set a price for its Hi-MOX10 anti-dust components at 0.85-0.9 CNY/W, which is a near two-year high. Upstream components, including N-type battery cells, wafers, inverters, adhesive films, EVA, and photovoltaic glass, have also seen varying price increases. For example, the average price of 182*210 mm TOPCon battery cells has risen for five consecutive weeks, with a total increase of 0.05 CNY/W. Additionally, the price of G12RN-type wafers has increased by 0.1 CNY/W in two instances since March.
The price of photovoltaic-grade EVA has surged by 248.57 CNY per ton within just two weeks. Furthermore, InfoLink reports that silicon material prices are also poised for an upward adjustment, with March prices expected to range between 39,000 CNY/ton and 42,000 CNY/ton based on inventory levels.
So, what is driving these price increases? InfoLink attributes this to domestic policies, particularly the rush to install solar systems as the deadlines loom, especially in the distributed market where order volumes have notably increased. The two critical dates are April 30 and May 31. In January, two new policies for distributed photovoltaic systems were announced: the “Regulations on the Management of Development and Construction of Distributed Photovoltaic Power Generation” and the “Notice on Deepening the Market-Oriented Reform of the On-grid Electricity Price for New Energy to Promote High-Quality Development”. According to these regulations, projects completed and connected to the grid before April 30 that are under 20 MW can still enjoy full-grid access. Projects connected after this date will have limited options for grid access.
In addition to domestic policies, the recovery of overseas markets has also contributed to rising supply chain prices, particularly in Europe, where inventory depletion has occurred, and numerous new projects are queued for launch. Experts predict that the installed capacity in Europe may double by 2025. This optimism has strengthened the confidence of component manufacturers, with average prices for photovoltaic components in the European market rising by approximately 5%-10% compared to the same period in 2024.
Looking ahead, a recent report from Guotai Junan suggests that the photovoltaic industry chain is likely entering a phase of rising prices, with the sector currently at an expected bottom. The fundamental conditions of the industry are stabilizing, and positive catalysts from both supply and demand sides are anticipated to emerge. This could indicate potential opportunities within the sector, leading to an upgrade in the industry rating.
Trina Solar has also made headlines with a significant announcement. The company revealed that its National Key Laboratory for Photovoltaic Science and Technology has developed a new dual-layer perovskite/silicon solar module with a peak power of 808W, becoming the world’s first industrial-standard solar component to surpass the 800W threshold. This marks the 31st time that Trina Solar has set or updated the world record for solar cell conversion efficiency and output power.
Trina Solar’s Chairman and CEO, Gao Jifan, stated, “The successful production of the world’s first 210 standard industrial-sized 800W+ perovskite/silicon tandem solar module represents a major breakthrough for the industry and is a crucial milestone in advancing photovoltaic technology.”
