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In a new weekly update for pv magazine , OPIS, a Dow Jones company, offers a quick look at the main price trends in the global PV industry.
FOB China wafer prices have seen a broad decline for the third consecutive week, underscoring the oversupply prevailing in the market. Mono PERC M10 and n-type M10 wafer prices notably decreased by 9.79% and 10.53% week-on-week, reaching $0.212/pp and $0.204/pp, respectively.
Similarly, the prices of Mono PERC G12 and n-type G12 wafers also decreased by 3.93% and 7.73% week-on-week, settling at $0.318/pp and $0.334/pp, respectively.
According to OPIS market research, the prices of Mono PERC M10 and n-type M10 wafers in the Chinese domestic market have fallen to about 1.70 yuan ($0.24)/pp and 1.63 yuan/pp, respectively. “The current price of wafers is causing considerable financial losses to wafer companies,” said an industry source.
According to another market participant, some wafer producers had initially estimated the minimum price of M10 wafers to be around 1.9 yuan/pp, based on the production cost, and refrained from selling below this brand in March. This strategy turned out to be flawed, leading to a significant buildup of wafer stocks. As a result, they are now forced to sell wafers at even lower prices to recover some cash flow, the source explained.
A major wafer producer agreed, noting that sales representatives are on the move, visiting various locations to actively cultivate and expand customer relationships.
According to one market observer, the current wafer stock level is roughly equivalent to two to three weeks of production. Discussions surrounding wafer fabs plan to reduce production over the past two weeks bore fruit this week. Multiple sources have confirmed that most wafer fabs have implemented varying degrees of production cuts.
A polysilicon market insider has conveyed a relatively positive outlook, suggesting that with wafer production slowing and the gradual rollout of ground-mounted solar projects in China during April and May, elevated wafer inventory could see some relief in the future. end of April.
Another notable aspect of the current wafer market is the variety of sizes available, as observed by OPIS in its market study. 183.75mm wafers based on the 182mm M10 standard are being studied. Additionally, sources indicate the emergence of 182mm x 210mm rectangular wafers, called 210R, which are gaining popularity in the market.
Amid severe oversupply and intense competition, one market participant noted that exploring the manufacturing of differentiated products has been the alternative strategy for wafer producers, with the aim of prolonging their participation in this competition for survival. of the strongest.
OPIS, a Dow Jones company, provides energy prices, news, data and analysis on gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, LPG/LNG, coal, metals and chemicals, as well as renewable fuels and environmental commodities. In 2022 it acquired the pricing data assets of the Singapore Solar Exchange and now publishes the OPIS APAC Solar Weekly Report . |
