Multi cell prices upturn appears to be overdone, as the hefty EU anti-dumping story is played up. While the outcome of provisional anti-dumping tariffs came below market anticipation, some cell makers are losing confidence in maintaining above-average price premium.

Multi cell prices upturn appears to be overdone, as the hefty EU anti-dumping story is played up. While the outcome of provisional anti-dumping tariffs came below market anticipation, some cell makers are losing confidence in maintaining above-average price premium. Furthermore, uncertainties of EU anti-dumping tariffs further dims demand outlook in Europe for 3Q13. As a result, cell price edges down this week.

The overall module prices face increasing price pressure from downstream system makers. Module prices, especially delivery-duty-paid modules in Europe, have climbed drastically over the past few months for reflecting added cost of anti-dumping tariff. Nevertheless, the module price increase exceeds the 11.8% of provisional tariff applied from Jun 6 to Aug 6. With lower than expected EU anti-dumping tariffs, downstream system makers are demanding some returns from module players. Furthermore, gradual FIT reduction in Europe empowers system makers to further negotiate on module price. Given prolonged uncertainty of China-Europe trade war, module price maintains steady this week.

Wafer makers are attempting to raise their wafer prices this week but fail to do so, as they reckon PV cell makers may not afford the wafer price increase. The cell price correction and vague order visibility implies impeding storms in the PV solar supply chain. In addition, major wafer buyers, which have enough long-term contracts, would not like to take the new offer with the increasing prices but digest their own wafer inventories. Hence, wafer price keeps leveled this week.

Polysilicon prices stay on par this week due to rising concern about growth momentum in PV industry. They tend to remain on the alert but make no move until China anti-dumping duties decision has been made. Furthermore, a number of polysilicon suppliers have planned to resume production to prepare for potential reduction in polysilicon imports. With continuous uncertainties, polysilicon prices maintain at similar level compared to last week.