This week, a wait-and-see sentiment was taking hold of the overall market, which was on the path to recovery. The demand and supply of the Chinese market have not yet returned to normal. As a result, the manufacturers were reluctant to expand their production even if they have enough manufacturing capacity. The overseas market was impacted by the COVID-19, which led to the free fall of the overall demand. The nationwide lockdown imposed by several governments has made it difficult for the supply chain to respond immediately. Judging from the changes in the global market, it could take 2 to 4 weeks for the market to return to normal. The market could only hope for moderate growth at this stage, provided that the coronavirus pandemic would be eradicated.
Polysilicon
The prices of polysilicon remained unchanged this week. Under the impact of the increasing inventory level of the downstream, the overall supply chain suffered from excessive inventory. This led to the slowing down of transactions between the links of the supply chain. The industry players were more inclined to wait and observe the emerging market trends before they make their next move. As a result, there would not be much changes in the short term. It is estimated that the inventory would have to be digested before any meaningful changes would take place.
In the Chinese domestic market, the price range of mono-grade polysilicon remains unchanged at RMB 72~ 75/KG at the moment. The price range of polysilicon remains unchanged at RMB 50~ 55/KG. The overseas price is lowered to US$8.63~ 9.13/KG. The average price is lowered to US$8.83 /KG. The global average price is lowered to US$8.68 /KG.
Wafers
The prices of some wafers started to fluctuate due to the impact of the rising level of inventory and the slowing down of the downstream demand. The prices of multi-Si products continued to decline slowly. The suppliers could adjust the manufacturing capacity accordingly, so that the prices would remain stable. The prices of the traditional mono-Si M2 products began to decline slowly. This was chiefly due to the abundant supply in the market, which, in turn, motivated the small- and medium-sized manufacturers to quote lower prices. The market also expected that the average contract prices announced at the end of this month would be on the decline. This led to the price slashing in certain products, whereas the large size products remained immune to the competitive pricing pressure.
In the overseas market, the range of the multi-Si wafer price revision is US$0.180~ 0.188/Pc at the moment. The price of black silicon products is lowered to US$0.243 /Pc. The range of the 156.75 mm mono-Si wafer price revision is US$0.370~ 0.395/Pc. The average price is lowered to US$0.388 /Pc. The price range of the large size wafer (158.75 mm) remains unchanged at US$0.420~ 0.430/Pc. The range of the other large size product price revision is US$0.423~ 0.440/Pc.
In the Chinese domestic market, the range of the multi-Si wafer price revision is RMB 1.45~ 1.51/Pc. The price of black silicon products remains unchanged at RMB 1.94 /Pc. The price range of the cast-mono wafer remains unchanged at RMB 2.60~ 2.65/Pc. The range of the 156.75 mm mono-Si wafer price revision is RMB 2.95~ 3.07/Pc. The average price is lowered to RMB 3.05/Pc. The range of the large size mono-Si wafer (158.75 mm) price revision is RMB 3.25~ 3.31/Pc. The price range of the 166.75 mm wafer remains unchanged at RMB 3.35~ 3.47/Pc.
PV Cells
The PV cell market showed a slowdown in supply and demand this week. The weak demand, which the market has long feared, was yet to be improved. Some manufacturers have also slowed down their production. The prices have nevertheless decreased, which was still within the market expectation.
In the overseas market, the price range of the general multi-Si cell remains unchanged at US$0.077~ 0.085/W at the moment. The price range of the general mono-Si cell remains unchanged at US$0.101~ 0.107/W. The range of the high-efficiency mono-Si cell price revision is US$0.112~ 0.119/W. The average price was lowered to US$0.116 /W. The range of the superior high-efficiency mono-Si cell (>21.7%) price revision is USS$0.118~ 0.170/W.
In the Chinese domestic market, the price range of the general multi-Si cell remains unchanged at RMB 0.57~ 0.59/W. The price of the high-efficiency multi-Si cell is lowered to RMB 0.60 /W. The price range of the general mono-Si cell remains unchanged at RMB 0.80~ 0.85/W. The price range of the high-efficiency mono-Si cell remains unchanged at RMB 0.88~ 0.92/W. The range of the superior high-efficiency mono-Si cell (> 21.7%) price revision is RMB 0.88~ 0.95/W. The price of the bifacial superior high-efficiency mono-Si cells (>21.7%) is revised up to RMB 0.98/W.
Modules
Continuing the trend from last week, the module market prices still maintained stable this week. The impact of the pandemic on the overseas markets was worse than expected. It is estimated that it would be difficult to increase the demand in the coming 2 to 4 weeks. China was still affected by the delay in transportation and logistics. The overall labor return rate has gradually improved. However, it was still a long way from business as usual.
In the overseas market, the range of the 60-cell general multi-Si (275W-280W) price revision is US$0.191~ 0.229/W at the moment. The price range of the 72-cell high-efficiency multi-Si (325W-330W) remains unchanged at US$0.205~ 0.238/W. The range of the general mono-Si (305W-310W) price revision is US$0.209~ 0.390/W. The range of the high-efficiency mono-Si (315W-320W) price revision is US$0.213~ 0.340/W. The average price is lowered to US$0.270 /W. The range of the superior-high efficiency mono-Si (>320W) price revision is US$0.222~ 0.390/W.
In the domestic market, the price range of the 60-cell general multi-Si (275W-280W) remains unchanged at RMB 1.50~ 1.61/W. The price range of the 72-cell high-efficiency multi-Si (325W-330W) remains unchanged at RMB 1.55~ 1.63/W. The range of the general mono-Si (305W-310W) price revision is RMB 1.65~ 1.70/W. The average price is lowered to RMB 1.68/W. The price range of the high-efficiency mono-Si (315W-320W) remains unchanged at RMB 1.68~ 1.75/W. The range of the superior-high efficiency mono-Si (>320W) price revision is RMB 1.72~ 1.78/W.
(Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay)
