[SMM PV Flash] IEA PVPS Says Global Solar Glare Rules and Assessment Methods Remain Fragmented

October 12, the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air released findings on India’s power system. Nearly 1.8 billion kWh of renewable electricity was curtailed in July and August, including about 4.2% of solar generation. Peak electricity demand reached 270 GW in July. In the quarter ending September, solar generation rose 39% year on year. Renewable generation excluding large hydropower exceeded 100 billion kWh for the first time. Coal supplied approximately two-thirds of electricity, while hydropower generation declined 20%.

October 12, China Southern Power Grid opened its eighth 2026 grid construction tender. It covers a third transformer at Guangdong’s 500 kV Kebei substation and, in Guizhou, bays for the second Xishui–Shixiang circuit and central ring-grid upgrades. Bid ceilings are RMB11.7817 million and RMB143.7485 million, respectively, financed entirely with internal funds. Guangdong construction is scheduled to start December 10, 2026. Both Guizhou works are scheduled to start December 30, with completion on December 10, 2027 and June 30, 2028, respectively. Bids close and open at 15:00 on November 4, 2026.

[SMM Analysis: Polysilicon Industry Meeting Held Again Over the Weekend! Production Cuts? Price Limits?] As for the upside in downstream module prices, in my personal opinion, the IRR returns of end-user projects are always the key factor. Weak electricity price returns, the disappearance of subsidies, and individual IRRs falling as low as or even lower than bank deposit interest rates remain the core pain points. End users are not pushing for lower prices without limits; rather, their own return hurdles are difficult to clear. Only by improving their returns through certain measures (such as reducing other costs, raising electricity prices, or other auxiliary income, etc.) can module and even upstream prices have upside. Otherwise, forced price hikes will either put the midstream under pressure or possibly sacrifice the already limited demand.