US PV manufacturer SEG Solar has announced the official launch of Phase I of its first 2GW solar cell production plant in Indonesia. The plant will mass-produce SEG's independently developed high-efficiency n-type solar cells, with an average conversion efficiency of 26.4%. The initial construction phase includes a total of four production lines utilizing screen printing technology, equipped with double-sided alternating printing equipment. The average production cycle time for a single cell is 0.75 seconds. SEG stated that this speed is 20% faster than the traditional industry standard.

[Daily Commentary on ADC12 Prices: Aluminum Prices Rise for Four Consecutive Days, Secondary Aluminum Prices Lack Strength in Increasing] Today, the SMM A00 aluminum price decreased by 40 yuan/mt from the previous trading day to 20,230 yuan/mt, while the domestic SMM ADC12 price remained in the range of 20,300-20,500 yuan/mt.

[Operating rate of sampled silicon enterprises in Xinjiang declined WoW during the week, while that in Sichuan increased slowly] According to market feedback, from May 9 to May 15, the weekly production of sampled silicon plants in Xinjiang was 23,570 mt, with a weekly operating rate of 49%, continuing to decline WoW. Some capacities of large plants in Xinjiang were temporarily reduced or halted for heat preservation, driving a further decline in regional production during the week. In the past two days, the market has been abuzz with news about the production resumptions of some capacities in a certain plant area of a large plant, but the specific timing of the resumptions remains unclear.

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: North Increases, South Decreases; Total Social Inventory of Silicon Metal Rises] SMM statistics show that the total social inventory of silicon metal in major regions reached 599,000 mt on May 15, up 3,000 mt WoW.

[Main Continuous Contract of Silicon Metal Rebounds, Spot Prices Stabilize]: Silicon Metal: This week, the decline in spot silicon metal prices narrowed and prices stabilized, while the main continuous contract in the futures market rebounded. As of May 15, SMM east China oxygen-blown #553 silicon was priced at 9,000-9,200 yuan/mt, down 50 yuan/mt WoW. #441 silicon was priced at 9,300-9,400 yuan/mt, down 50 yuan/mt WoW. The main continuous Si2506 contract held up well, trading near 8,300-8,500 yuan/mt, and closed at 8,410 yuan/mt at the end of the day on the 15th, up 95 yuan/mt WoW. This week, the main continuous contract in the futures market rose slightly, with some suppliers quoting prices higher than the price center compared to last week. However, it was not easy to close deals for high-priced goods in the market, and the fluctuation in the price center was limited. Spot order transactions for alloy and export users in the market were moderate.

[Silicon metal raw material prices and demand remain in the doldrums, while petroleum coke prices are mainly expected to rise slightly and steadily in the short term] Downstream demand remains weak, with some slight decreases in raw material prices. Overall, petroleum coke prices are mainly expected to rise slightly and steadily in the short term.

[SMM Analysis: Partial Abolition of Tariffs in Trade War Brings Positive News, Demand for Silicone High-Temperature Adhesive Sector Expected to Rise] According to SMM, this week, there has been a phenomenon of bulk procurement in the downstream sectors of high-temperature adhesives in China. The main reason is that after the conclusion of the Geneva Economic and Trade Talks this week, the additional tariffs imposed during the Sino-US trade war, which began in April, have been significantly abolished. As of now, 71% of the 125% tariffs imposed since April have been abolished, and 24% of the tariffs have been suspended. With the implementation of this agreement, silicone end-use products will enter a favorable stage.

[Daily Review of ADC12 Prices: Aluminum Prices Rise for Four Consecutive Days, Secondary Aluminum Prices Lack Strength in Increasing] Today, the SMM A00 aluminum price increased by another 140 yuan/mt from the previous trading day to 20,350 yuan/mt, while the domestic SMM ADC12 price remained in the range of 20,300-20,500 yuan/mt.

[SMM Silicone Weekly Review: Support Strengthens at Lows in Silicone Market, Partial Relief in Trade War Tariffs Benefits Some End-use Products] This week, domestic DMC was quoted at 11,300-11,600 yuan/mt, with the average price slightly lower WoW, and the trading range narrowed. This week, the online mall of a monomer enterprise in Shandong opened DMC at 11,300 yuan/mt, a decrease of 200 yuan/mt WoW. The leading enterprise quoted DMC at 14,800 yuan/mt, remaining unchanged for the time being. This week, other domestic monomer enterprises quoted DMC at 11,500-11,600 yuan/mt. This week, the trading range of the domestic DMC market narrowed somewhat, with monomer enterprises' quotes remaining basically stable. Although some downstream enterprises entered the market for procurement, and demand was boosted by the partial cancellation of trade war tariffs, the current inventory levels of monomer enterprises remained relatively high. Enterprises still prioritize destocking as their primary goal, so prices are expected to fluctuate at lows in the near term.