Silicon Metal Market Remains Volatile with Slight Futures Closing Price Increase

Recent renewable energy developments are accelerating across Africa. The African Development Bank ('AfDB') approved a $5.65 million grant for a new Peace Renewable Energy Certificate aggregation facility to support 71 MW of off-grid renewables in 14 fragile states. In Mozambique, the 'AfDB' also approved $150 million for what will be Africa's largest floating solar project on Cahora Bassa Lake. Meanwhile, Zambia announced a 'PPA' for a 100 MW wind-solar hybrid project between DZGM Energy Resources and Zesco. In Tunisia, Japan's 'JCM' is supporting a 130 MW solar facility built by Marubeni and Voltalia. Finally, in South Africa, Envusa Energy launched commercial operations at the 240 MW Mooi Plaats solar project to supply renewable electricity to local mining operations.

Melbourne-based RayGen has fully commissioned a 1 MW concentrated solar and long-duration thermal energy storage system in Petrolina, Brazil, in partnership with Axia Energia. The facility utilizes RayGen's 'PV Ultra' technology, which uses mirrors to concentrate sunlight onto modules while capturing heat in a water-based storage system. This design achieves a 70% round-trip efficiency. Axia is testing the technology for potential large-scale deployment to help power 'AI factories.' RayGen already operates a commercial facility in Australia and is currently advancing a 200 MW/1,200 MWh utility-scale project in South Australia.

JinkoSolar's Hai Ha solar cell project in Vietnam was officially terminated on March 11 following the company's request to halt development. The facility, originally planned for 4 GW of cell and 3 GW of module capacity with a revised investment of $294.2 million, had its investment certificate revoked. The decision was primarily driven by the 'US' Department of Commerce imposing steep antidumping duties (over 120%) on Vietnamese 'PV' cells in June 2025, worsening the economics of exporting. Despite this cancellation, JinkoSolar is not fully withdrawing from Vietnam and maintains around 10 GW of integrated n-type capacity. The company is reportedly pivoting its global strategy toward other markets like the Middle East and the wider Asia-Pacific region.