Prices this week (21-28 April) have been much more stable compared with the previous week. While prices of products within different sections of the supply chain continue to fluctuate and diverge in trajectories, the differences have become less significant.
The global PV market as a whole still sees slacking demand and is waiting for signs and events that could trigger new waves of stock-up activities. Looking ahead, the overseas emerging markets will constitute the main source of demand in the global PV market in the short term. However, demand in the overseas established markets is also expected to pick up later in the near future, and the momentum there also warrants some attention. China's domestic demand will be influenced by the country’s latest series of policies. Although the latest policies do not give clear indications on the actual demand, the market is interpreting them favorably and will become more active as a result.
Polysilicon
Polysilicon prices have come out steady this week, reflecting a stable balance in the overall supply-demand situation. Polysilicon suppliers are currently entering their maintenance cycle. After a previous incident experienced by a major supplier, much attention has been paid to ensure adequate maintenance and site safety. While the increased prudence on the part of suppliers is bearing some influence on the overall production, there is also sufficient demand to support the market and keep it stable. In China, prices of polysilicon for multi-Si products have been corrected to the range of RMB 59-63/kg (averaging at RMB 63/kg). Prices of polysilicon for mono-Si products have been corrected to the range of RMB 73-76/kg (averaging at RMB 75/kg). Prices in the overseas market have come to the range of USD 8.88-10.27/kg, and their average has gone down to USD 9.78/kg.
Wafer
The wafer market as a whole has not shown significant changes and variations in prices this week. However, the price trend in the multi-Si segment has reflected a lack of confidence in the strength of demand for multi-Si products. While the mono-Si segment is seeing demand growth, prices vary depending on product specifications. In overseas markets, prices of mono-Si and multi-Si wafers have come to the ranges of USD 0.405-0425/pc and USD 0.250-0.260/pc respectively. The average price of the black silicon wafers has been maintained at USD 0.280/pc this week. Prices of mono-Si wafers in China have been corrected to the range of RMB 2.97-3.15/pc this week, and their average has been maintained at RMB 3.08/pc. Prices of multi-Si wafers in China have stayed in the range of RMB 1.90-2.00/pc, with their average dropping to RMB 1.93/pc. As for black silicon wafers, their average price in China has gone up to RMB 2.13/pc this week.
Cell
Cell prices have also been relatively stable this week, but price trajectories of individual products diverge due to their respective demand. On the whole, cell demand from overseas markets has been greater than that of China. In overseas markets, prices of conventional multi-Si cells have been kept in the range of USD 0.115-0.129/W this week. Prices of conventional mono-Si cells have been within USD 0.121-128/W, while prices of high-efficiency mono-Si cells have come to the range of USD 0.160-0.165/W (with their average rising to USD 0.162/W). Prices of superior high-efficiency mono-Si cells (>21.5%) have been corrected to the range of USD 0.154-0.185/W, with their average holding at USD 0.174/W.
In China, prices of conventional multi-Si cells have come to RMB 0.81-0.85/W this week. The average of conventional multi-Si cells has been relatively constant at RMB 0.85/W. Prices of conventional mono-Si cells in China have been maintained within RMB 0.90-0.95/W. As for high-efficiency mono-Si cells, their price range has been corrected to RMB 1.15-1.18/W, and their average price has been kept at RMB 1.16/W. The price range of superior high-efficiency mono-Si cells have been corrected to RMB 1.19-1.25/W, with the average staying RMB 1.22/W. Regarding bifacial cells, their prices in China have been corrected to the range of RMB 1.21-1.27/W.
Module
Prices of modules have generally remained constant from the previous week. The demand for multi-Si modules is high in the overseas markets but quite subdued in China. Regarding module prices in overseas markets this week, conventional multi-Si products (270-275W) have been staying within USD 0.205-0.255/W. High-efficiency multi-Si products (280-285W) have been corrected to USD 0.215-0.230/W, with their average dropping to USD 0.230/W. Conventional mono-Si products (290-295W) have been maintained around USD 0.231-0.251/W. High-efficiency mono-Si products (300-305W) have moved down to USD 0.268-0.350W, with their average dropping to USD 0.271/W. Superior high-efficiency mono-Si products (>310W) have been corrected to USD 0.283-0.365/W, with their average residing at USD 0.285/W.
As for module prices in China, conventional multi-Si products have come to RMB 1.68-1.75/W, and their average has risen to RMB 1.71/W. High-efficiency multi-Si products have been corrected to RMB 1.80-1.85/W, with their average staying at RMB 1.83/W. Conventional mono-Si products have been maintained within RMB 1.83-1.90/W. High-efficiency mono-Si products have been within RMB 2.05-2.10/W. The price range of superior high-efficiency mono-Si products has remained unchanged from the previous week, maintaining within RMB 2.10-2.20/W.