Weekly Solar Market Price Trends: Mainland China Report 25

Solarzoom Solar Market Report Jan. 28, 2013 – Feb. 01, 2013

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Silicon material

The domestic market price of level-1 material is 135 CNY/kg, and 120 CNY/kg for level-2 ones.  The price of imported level-1 materials is $19.048 /kg, while it stands at $17.688 /kg for level-2 ones.

Due to the upcoming Spring Festival, many manufacturers have already shut down for the holidays. At present, the orders are close to finished, and the quotation is stable. The increasing price of silicon materials drew lots attention in previous days. Now, most shut-down manufacturers are revaluing the cost, and they are monitoring pricing; but, considering uneven downstream demand condition, the trading volume is not satisfactory. This week most logistic companies and their customers have already begun their holidays, which means they have stopped shipments and now mainly are focused on collecting receivables.

Solar Wafer

This week, regarding mono-c-Si 125mm*125mm wafer, the price of tier-1 suppliers stood at 5.1 CNY/pc, and at 4.5 CNY/pc for tier-2 ones. As to mono-c-Si 156mm*156mm wafer, the price of tier-1 suppliers arrived at 8.1 CNY/pc, and 7.5 CNY/pc for tier-2 ones. In terms of poly-c-Si 156mm*156mm wafer, the price of tier-1 suppliers reached 6.50 CNY/pc, and 5.8 CNY/pc for tier-2 ones.

At the beginning of this week, the wafer market remained in the same pricing range as the week prior. As to the payment terms, considering the increasing price and firm quotation of some manufacturers, most manufacturers are not willing to accept unfavorable payment terms. Feasibility beyond Spring Festival is not there; therefore, no word on new orders is coming from manufacturers.

Solar Cell

Currently, considering mono-c-Si 125mm*125mm cell, the price of tier-1 suppliers stands at 2.90 CNY/W, and 2.4 CNY/W for tier-2 ones. Regarding mono-c-Si 156mm*156mm cell, the price of tier-1 suppliers is at 2.95 CNY/W, and 2.45 CNY/W for tier-2 ones. In terms of poly-c-Si 156mm*156mm cell, the price of tier-1 suppliers has reached 2.55 CNY/W, and 2.35 CNY/W for tier-2 ones.

Some manufacturers of cells are concluding that access to cheap wafers is becoming limited due to low supply and firm pricing. In the case of cells, pricing remains firm; but, it is not expected to have a further increase before the Spring Festival. Many firms have stopped taking orders and they are busy with making deliveries at the moment. Some manufacturers require payment with cash, and if they cannot receive the payment before the festival, they would rather give up shipping in order to have better clarity as to what will happen after the Spring Festival.

Solar Module

Concerning mono-c-Si 190W module, the price of tier-1 suppliers stands at 4.40 CNY/W, and 4.0 CNY/W for tier-2 ones. As to mono-c-Si 245W module，the price of tier-1 suppliers is at 4.85 CNY/W, and 4.35 CNY/W for tier-2 ones. In terms of poly-c-Si 230W module, the price of tier-1 suppliers has reached 4.00 CNY/W, and 3.50 CNY/W for tier-2 ones. Concerning mono-c-Si 195W module, the price of tier-1 suppliers stands at 4.5 CNY/W, and 4.1 CNY/W for tier-2 ones. As to mono-c-Si 250W module, the price of tier-1 suppliers is at 4.90 CNY/W, and 4.5 CNY/W for tier-2 ones. And, in terms of poly-c-Si 240W module, the price of tier-1 suppliers has reached 4.20 CNY/W, and 3.9 CNY/W for tier-2 ones.

These days, the trading volume showed a slight drop. The condition of most module manufacturers is stable in recent days, so the whole quotation also remains steady. And presently, most module manufacturers who are still producing are mainly preparing for the shipment after the Spring Festival. Some module manufacturers have shut down for the holidays in advance. At the moment, the inventory volume of most module manufacturers is very low; some of the estimates see only a few, with more than 1MW of inventories.

Tier-one companies include the U.S. and HK stock market-listed entities, with large capacity and product circulation in the market, like Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. (ADR) (NYSE:STP), Yingli Green Energy Hold. Co. Ltd. (ADR) (NYSE: YGE), Canadian Solar Inc. (NASDAQ: CSIQ), Trina Solar Limited (NYSE: TSL), JA Solar Holdings Co., Ltd. (ADR) (NASDAQ: JASO) and ReneSola Ltd. (ADR) (NYSE: SOL).

Prices quoted in CNY include 17% VAR domestic tax.