[Solar: Zambia Secures $246M Investment for Nambala Phase II Expansion]

[SMM Flash] On August 12, SMM learned that two leading silicon wafer enterprises have successively resumed quotations, with the latest prices as follows: N-type wafer—183mm: 0.9 yuan/piece N-type wafer—210R: 1 yuan/piece N-type wafer—210mm: 1.2 yuan/piece The new round of wafer quotations has increased by 0.1 yuan/piece compared to the previous level. SMM analysis indicates that this round of wafer price hikes is closely related to cost policies. The actual procurement costs of wafer enterprises have shifted upward, corresponding to rising furnace input costs, making the wafer price increase within reason.

[SMM Silicon-Based PV Morning Meeting Summary] Silicon metal: Yesterday, SMM oxygen-blown #553 silicon in east China was at about 9,100-9,200 yuan/mt, and #441 silicon was at about 9,200-9,400 yuan/mt, with the price center edging up WoW. In the futures market, the most-traded contract showed strength, with the most-traded SI2609 contract consolidating near 8,600 yuan/mt. Futures prices rose, which, combined with silicon enterprises’ reluctance to sell at low prices, reduced cheap supply in the silicon market. Suppliers’ offer centers firmed, while downstream users remained largely in a wait-and-see sentiment, resulting in subdued trading. Wafers: Market prices were 0.798-0.827 yuan/piece for 18X wafers, 0.896-0.915 yuan/piece for 210RN wafers, and 1.097-1.113 yuan/piece for 210N wafers. The upper end of the wafer price range inched up. Yesterday afternoon, a leading specialized wafer enterprise also suspended quoting, planning to increase prices by over 10%. As of now, three enterprises have stopped quoting or suspended shipments.

Recently, the first fleet of vehicles loaded with AIKO ABC high-efficiency modules successfully arrived at the Kubuqi Desert base in Ordos, Inner Mongolia, marking the official start of delivery for the first phase of the Jingneng Kubuqi "desert-Gobi-wasteland" large base, a 240 MW ABC PV project. As an important part of the cluster of national desert-Gobi-wasteland clean energy bases in Inner Mongolia, this project is not only a crucial move by Jingneng Group to implement the national large base strategy for new energy, but also another demonstration of AIKO ABC high-efficiency modules supporting the construction of "desert-Gobi-wasteland" large bases with their robust product capabilities under extreme climate conditions. The Kubuqi Desert features high surface reflectivity, large day-night temperature differences, and frequent sandstorms, posing rigorous challenges to the long-term operational reliability and power generation stability of PV modules. As the sole winning bidder, AIKO supplies all 240 MW of ABC bifacial double-glass modules for this project. Leveraging high conversion efficiency, high bifaciality, and excellent low-irradiance performance, AIKO ABC modules can fully harness the reflection gains from the desert surface, boosting power generation capacity per unit area. According to estimates, the project is expected to achieve an average annual equivalent utilization of 1,612.63 hours over its 25-year operational period. Compared with conventional modules, it can save more than 6% land area, reduce BOS costs, and achieve the optimal levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) for the project.