PVinsights:Cooling global demand undermines solar prices

Both multi-crystalline and mono-crystalline modules extend the price slump this week amid the lingering weakness in global demand. In particular, the demand in China observes an obvious weakness, which results in inventory increasing for Chinese module makers. Hence, the solar panel price in China sees the continuous drop as Chinese module makers are trying to reduce the inventory level through the strategy of the price reduction. In Japan and India, due to slower demand, the escalating price competition from Chinese players drives the solar panel prices down.

Both multi-crystalline and mono-crystalline modules extend the price slump this week amid the lingering weakness in global demand. In particular, the demand in China observes an obvious weakness, which results in inventory increasing for Chinese module makers. Hence, the solar panel price in China sees the continuous drop as Chinese module makers are trying to reduce the inventory level through the strategy of the price reduction. In Japan and India, due to slower demand, the escalating price competition from Chinese players drives the solar panel prices down. On the other hand, although the demand in Europe and the U.S. is relatively solid, as expanding more trade-friendly capacity in SEA, major Chinese module makers now are aggressive to the price competition in the EU and the U.S. Nevertheless, the weakening USD has partially neutralized the decline of regional module prices outside the US. As the result, overall solar panel prices declines more tenderly this week.


Multi-crystalline cell prices decline progressively this week. Due to the slower end-market demand, some Chinese module makers are canceling the orders sharply. Multi-crystalline cell suppliers are rushing to sell off these suddenly stock by all means in late March. Hence, since it is difficult to have the orders to get rid of these inventories immediately to meet their quarter financial result, this situation leads the chaos of multi-crystalline cell makers tumbling price more dramatically this week. On the other hand, the demand of mono-crystalline cell has improved steadily, thanks to the demand of Top Runner projects in China. Nevertheless, the price of mono-crystalline cell remains immobile as pressured by the price slumps of mono-crystalline module and multi-crystalline cell.

The price drop of multi-crystalline wafer is still less than that of multi-crystalline cell this week. Due to the price pressure from the downstream components, the 1st tier wafer suppliers lower their price quotes in April. However, thanks to the high production utilization rate of multi-crystalline cell, the price drop is moderately, as the demand is supported by the high production utilization rate of multi-crystalline cells. On the other hand, mono-crystalline wafer price remains steady this week as the improving demand in China keeps the price level from the same falling as multi-crystalline one. Affected by the stable mono-crystalline cell price and the declining multi-crystalline wafer price, the price of mono-crystalline wafer has no room to improve further, even with improving demand in China.

Poly-silicon price remains the uptrend this week amid the speculation of short-term tightening supply. Due to the trade war which locked the U.S. poly-silicon out of China, the assumption of tightening poly-silicon glut in Chinese market has raised. Moreover, the demand of poly-silicon in China also remains solid, while some wafer manufacturers are actively expanding their capacity. Hence, poly-silicon makers are still able to raise price successfully as supported the concrete demand.

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