Supply across PV Industry Chain Drops amid Power Rationing, Prices Remain Stable due to Cost Pressure from Terminal

SHANGHAI, Aug 19 (SMM) - 

Polysilicon: The prices of polysilicon were stable with few fluctuations, with recharging polysilicon and dense polysilicon mainly traded 300-310 yuan/kg and 298-309 yuan/kg. A number of polysilicon factories in Sichuan province were shut down due to local power rationing, which again tightened the supply of polysilicon. It is heard that the traded prices of a few retail deals for dense polysilicon rose slightly. However, the prices did not rise significantly this week mainly due to limited transactions in the market amid few sources available in the market. On the other hand, the market players are generally pessimistic towards the third and fourth quarters, and high downstream cost also made the buyers say no to high prices. In this case, supply tightness failed to bring about aggressive price hikes immediately. 

Silicon wafer: The prices of silicon wafer remained stable last week. The mainstream transaction prices of monocrystalline silicon wafer M10 stood at 7.46 yuan/piece, and that of monocrystalline silicon wafer G12 was 9.81 yuan/piece. The power rationing in Sichuan this week had a certain impact on the production of local silicon wafer enterprises. However, due to a limited number of silicon wafer enterprises located in Sichuan Province, wafer prices have been the least affected compared with polysilicon and solar cell. At the same time, due to the serious excess of silicon wafer capacity, the supply void can also be filled by raising the operating rates in other regions. Combined with the polysilicon prices remaining stable this week and the downstream companies forcing down the prices, the prices of silicon wafers also maintained the stability. 

Solar cell: The mainstream transaction prices of monocrystalline silicon PERC cell M10 stood at 1.29 yuan/W, and that of G12 was 1.25 yuan/W. Solar cell prices changed little with upstream products prices showing no significant changes. However, the power cut in Sichuan has had a great impact on the overall solar cell supply, mainly because the market leader Tongwei positions its cell production base in Sichuan. Therefore, the market circulation is expected to decrease to a certain extent. Nonetheless, solar cell prices are stable at least at present, due to stable raw material prices and the pressure from downstream module manufacturers. Cell prices are likely to rise if raw material prices usher in a hike next week.

Modules: The mainstream transaction price of single-sided 182mm monocrystalline silicon PERC module stood at 1.99 yuan/w, single-sided 210mm monocrystalline silicon PERC module 1.99 yuan/w, double-sided 182mm monocrystalline silicon PERC module 2.02 yuan /w, and double-sided 210mm monocrystalline silicon PERC module 2.01 yuan/w. Module prices have been stable for the moment. Due to the current high prices, the terminal power stations refrained from buying, and the module companies still maintained lower operating rates. In addition, since the module capacity in Sichuan is basically zero, the impact of the power cut is extremely limited.

PV glass: The prices of PV glass remained unchanged this week. The prices of 3.2mm coated glass were 26.5-27.5 yuan/square meter, and that of 2.0mm PV glass were 19.5-21.15 yuan/square meter. Recently, the domestic PV glass market has been smooth. The glass manufacturers intended to hold the prices stable, while downstream module companies stood on the sidelines, alluding extending tug-of-war between sellers and buyers.