Silicon Prices Remain On The Rise

On March 10, PVInfoLink released the latest price data of photovoltaic industry chain. The transaction price of silicon materials maintained a slight upward trend, and the frequency and drastic amplitude of price changes were aggravated.

Silicon material price

The silicon material link signing transaction rhythm is stable, pull crystal link material demand to maintain growth. The silicon material transaction price maintained a slight upward trend, the mainstream transaction price this week in the range of 241-246 yuan per kilogram, individual scattered orders transaction price breakthrough per kilogram of 250 yuan water level, overseas re-feeding specifications corresponding to the price also has a small increase.

On the supply side, recently some silicon material enterprises have carried out line maintenance and adjustment for the production line, which will affect the monthly production in different degrees. In addition, the release and quality climbing of new production capacity after production are at different speeds. It is expected that the production and full release of new production capacity in the early stage will be completed in the second quarter. In March, the overall supply of silicon materials to maintain a stable, small growth, total growth is still limited.

The overall new supply of silicon in the first quarter compared with the new demand for silicon wafer crystal link, supply growth is still slow. It is expected that the mismatch between silicon supply and demand will be difficult to alleviate in the market atmosphere with strong willingness to improve the operating rate in the crystal pulling link, and the silicon price will maintain a stable trend in the short term.

Silicon prices

The price of silicon chip has been adjusted continuously, and the frequency of price adjustment is almost in the unit of "week". The frequency and drastic amplitude of price change have been aggravated.

The most recent price increases for silicon wafer makers Zhonghuan and Longji were on March 4 and 7, respectively, to 8.85 yuan per wafer for 210mm/160μm and 6.7 yuan per wafer for 182mm/165μm, because the market circulation of 166mm/165μm is declining faster. The price range corresponding to this specification is relatively wide, and different silicon wafer enterprises have big differences in production scheduling and price strategies for special orders. At present, the main price range is 5.45-5.55 yuan per piece. It is expected that this specification will still retain a certain demand and market share this year, but the speed of decline is relatively fast.

Monocrystalline silicon chip prices increase frequently, and the preliminary raw material prices and the battery has strong associations are concentration of demand for silicon wafer, and the recent outbreak of individual regions in northern China are grim and control to strengthen, material transport and cargo transport, including mobility many disadvantage, leading to the current production supply directly affected area.

Silicon wafer link in the market environment where raw material prices are high, the trend of "accelerated thinning" of silicon wafer thickness is increasingly strong. By the end of the first quarter, the thickness of 182mm silicon wafer has continued to 160μm, and even some enterprises are adjusting to 155μm thickness. The thickness of 210mm silicon wafers has also continued to move from 160μm to 155μm thickness, which can be described as "accelerating progress".

Battery sheet price

This week, the March pricing is still in the game stage. Due to rising costs, battery manufacturers are still generally expecting another adjustment of 2-3 cents. However, as of Wednesday, the average transaction price range of M6/M10/G12 battery panels of the battery manufacturers reached the level of 1.09-1.11/1.12-1.15/1.13-1.15 yuan per watt, and the mainstream average price was 1.09-1.10/1.14/1.14 yuan per watt, respectively. At present, only M10 mainstream new order price increase, M6/G12 price increase acceptance is relatively low. At present, the operating rate in March is higher than that in February, and the battery production line of vertically integrated manufacturers is mostly at 75-80%, and the production line of battery manufacturers is about 70-75%. However, it is still mainly affected by the acceptance of manufacturing components, and the possibility of accumulation of battery inventory in March and April is not excluded.

Polycrystalline part, this week transaction demand is less, the battery price is stable in the range of 3.75 to 3.9 yuan per piece, overseas about 0.53 to 0.55 yuan per piece.

Component price

This week, the components are still squeezed by both terminal acceptance and supply chain growth. The current price of 500W+ components for single glass is still above RMB 1.9 yuan per watt. However, there are fewer orders in March, and the price has not increased significantly, so the mainstream price of 500W+ components for single glass is still at RMB 1.85-1.88 yuan per watt. Some channels distributed project execution price station per watt 1.89-1.95 yuan above. 500W+ double glass mainstream price is the difference between single glass about 2-4 yuan per watt.

At present, the price in overseas regions, the strike price of 500W+ single glass component in Europe in March is about USD 0.275-0.28 per watt. However, influenced by the depreciation of the euro, the price has reached a high point. If we continue to explore the April demand may be affected. Us prices are stable at $0.32- $0.35 per watt (FOB), but the policy relationship is likely to fluctuate, making terminals again on the sidelines. And the Asia Pacific region of India pull tide is about to end, the demand is diminishing, component prices also appear sliding signs, 500W+ single glass components about 0.255-0.27 USD per watt. In Australia, component prices are still around $0.275 to $0.29 per watt, but are expected to rise in April due to rising supply chain costs.