[SMM Popular Science: Wafer: The Magical Material Supporting the PV World] What is a wafer? What are the applications of wafers in the solar PV field? Polycrystalline silicon wafers, monocrystalline silicon wafers, and amorphous silicon wafers? The production process of wafers and the quality determination of wafers. The development trend of wafers. The concentration of wafer production capacity and major wafer producers and sellers.

In the recently concluded financial reporting season, the PV module industry has been in a dismal state, and perhaps "breaking boundaries" has long become one of the strategies for many enterprises. In fact, this is also an inevitable path under the construction of a new-type power system, and a diversified and integrated approach may be the unified choice for new energy enterprises.

[SMM Silicon-based PV Morning Meeting Summary: Wafer Prices Continue to Fall, Solar Cell Prices Fluctuate Downward] The market price of N-type 18X wafers is 0.95-0.95 yuan/piece, and the price of N-type 210RN wafers is 1.08-1.1 yuan/piece. The mainstream quotations for Topcon 183 solar cells (with an efficiency of 25% and above) are around 0.255-0.26 yuan/W; Topcon 210RN solar cells are priced at 0.26-0.27 yuan/W; Topcon 210 solar cells are priced at around 0.275-0.28 yuan/W.

[SMM Analysis: Aluminum Prices Fluctuate at Highs, Suppressing PV Operating Rates - Market Differentiation Amidst Weak Demand and Cost Pressures] This week, the operating rates of leading enterprises in the PV frame sector only dropped back slightly, with production schedules still following order rhythms. However, some outsourcing enterprises in east China and Henan reported a sharp decline in PV orders, with operating rates only maintained in the 40%-50% range. SMM will continue to monitor the actual order situation.

[SMM Weekly Review: Intense Price Competition in the Cell Market, Polysilicon Prices Continue to Face Downward Pressure] This week, PV module prices continued their downward trend. The mainstream transaction prices for N-type 182mm modules in centralized projects ranged from 0.697 to 0.705 yuan/W, with the average price decreasing by 0.004 yuan/W. The mainstream transaction prices for N-type 210mm modules ranged from 0.712 to 0.72 yuan/W, with the average price also decreasing by 0.004 yuan/W. The price of distributed N-type 182mm modules hovered around 0.685 to 0.692 yuan/W, with the average price decreasing by 0.01 yuan/W compared to last Friday. The price of distributed N-type 210mm modules was 0.69 to 0.697 yuan/W, with the average price decreasing by 0.01 yuan/W compared to last Friday. The price of distributed N-type 210R modules ranged from 0.678 to 0.69 yuan/W, with the average price decreasing by 0.008 yuan/W compared to last Friday. This week, the inversion phenomenon between distributed and centralized projects has somewhat eased, and there is a short-term trend of module prices bottoming out and stabilizing. Currently, local governments have successively introduced policies to implement Document No. 136, and end-users are still waiting for bidding notifications to calculate their investment yields. This week, the PV Association provided benchmark prices for current modules as guidance. It is understood that violating relevant regulations may result in being blacklisted. SMM analyzed that this measure will promote the short-term stabilization of module prices.