L R AS Published on Saturday 2 September 2023 - n° 455 - Categories:the prices, silicon mono/multi
Silicon prices in China rise for the eighth week running
The price of silicon in China rose for the eighth consecutive week (to 31 August) by 2.4% to RMB 75.50 ($10.36)/kg. This increase is explained by limited silicon production in August due to
a shortage of electricity. Monthly production capacity in China stands at 120,000 tonnes, with imports rising slightly, according to Opis (a Dow Jones subsidiary). This is just enough to produce 50 GW of panels.
Looking ahead, the price of silicon is expected to fall as new production capacity comes on stream and end demand for panels eases in November-December due to seasonality.
For the fifth consecutive week, the price of panels remains stable at $0.163 per W. The price of TOPCon panels remains stable at $0.17/W.
PV Magazine of 31 August 2023
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In the week to 25 August, the price of Chinese silicon rose by 2.6%, as the available supply of Chinese silicon was lower than forecast. On the other hand, the world price of silicon fell by 6% to $28.2/kg. We are even seeing prices at $27 or lower.
This distortion has been spotted by several analysts, but they are unable to explain it. Some argue, according to OPIS, that Chinese customers can no longer absorb the large difference in price between Chinese silicon and that from other countries. They are reportedly pressing for lower figures.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2023/08/25/global-polysilicon-prices-drop-china-polysilicon-prices-rise/
PV Magazine 25 August 2023
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In the week to 18 August, wafer prices in China continued to rise for the third consecutive week, supported by strong demand from downstream cell manufacturers and rising upstream silicon prices. The price of Mono M10 wafers climbed 3.6% to $0.38/piece. The price of Mono G12 wafers rose by 3.7% to $0.507/piece, according to OPIS.
Zhonghuan increased its list price for Mono M10 wafers to RMB 3.15 ($0.43)/piece. This represents a 6.8% increase on the company's prices a fortnight ago.
The price of Chinese silicon rose by 3.8% to RMB 71.9/kg, due to a shortage of the material.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2023/08/18/china-wafer-prices-extend-gains-for-third-week/
PV Magazine, 18 August 2023
Editor's note: In May-June, there was too much silicon. Today we are told that there is a shortage of electricity and no silicon producers. Is it logical that new producers are starting up their production facilities?
Above all, it seems that silicon producers are regretting the good old days when prices were so high that manufacturers were sitting on a gold mine. They seem to be citing any reason to justify a rise and a restoration of their high profit margins.
According to the author, there is enough silicon capacity to produce 50 GW of panels. Since twelve months ago, and perhaps eleven months ago due to holidays or plant renovations, silicon production capacity would allow 550 GW or 600 GW of panels to be produced. However, expected production in 2023 is estimated at 300 GW and possibly 400 GW. So there is a production margin. We're being told all kinds of nonsense.
