Hello, my fellow solar enthusiasts and aficionados. Today I want to take a moment to delve into the fluctuating price trends within the global Photovoltaic (PV) industry. As the sunlight changes throughout the day, so too does the solar market landscape. As a devoted solar expert, I’m here to shine a light on what’s happening.
Let’s start by considering the Chinese cell market, a substantial piece in the solar industry puzzle. Recently, prices in this market have been assessed lower week-to-week, reflecting the volatility and constant shift in buy-sell indications. There was a decline of 2.64% in FOB China Mono PERC M10 cell and TOPCon M10 cell prices, bringing it down to $0.0369/WW. Similarly, FOB China Mono PERC G12 cell prices saw a 3.29% decrease, settling at $0.0382/W week-to-week.
The solar industry for the most part, has remained relatively dormant, with market participants patiently waiting on the sidelines. This wait-and-see approach is not surprising, given the fact many are expecting further price declines in the market. Yet, despite these price drops, solar companies have produced an impressive 310 GW of cells in the first half of 2024, a hearty increase of 37.8% year-to-year.
Now, imagine having solar panels for your home produced in this period. Solar arrays for home-usage profited from this large increase. It’s a testament to the endless possibilities and potential for growth within the global PV industry.
However, cell exports for the same period rose 26.2% to 142.16 GW, despite the fact that achieved sales prices were much lower compared to a year ago. This resulted in slimmer margins for cell manufacturers due to persistently low prices throughout the solar value chain.
This is quite an intriguing time for solar companies as they face the challenging task of striking a balance between supply and demand. Many have scaled back production rates in a bid to restore this equilibrium. China’s cell production in July, for instance, was expected to hit 49-51 GW, a decrease from 53 GW in June.
In conclusion, the solar industry is a rapidly evolving one, dictating adaptability and foresight to navigate its ever-changing waters. As homeowners and solar advocates, we should remain undeterred. Solar companies are consistently pushing the boundaries, continuously innovating, and making the concept of having a solar array for home use more of a norm than an exception. This, in the long run, will ensure a brighter, eco-friendly future for us all.
Original Articlehttps://pv-magazine-usa.com/2024/08/02/chinese-solar-cell-prices-fall-amid-oversupply/