TrendForce expects solar module prices to fall slightly in March

The global market for silicon, wafers, solar cells and modules will face »a considerable degree of uncertainty« in 2023, according to Taiwan-based market research firm TrendForce Corp. Not only does the dominant Chinese solar industry have to expect »sharp price fluctuations in the short term,« other major markets will also be affected by the policies of their respective governments.
For March, TrendForce expects slight declines after prices have recently been pointing sharply upwards. According to the analysts, after prices for polysilicon had fallen significantly last December, manufacturers had reduced supply, causing sharp price increases to the current level of 220 to 240 renminbi yuan ($ 31.85 to $ 34.75) per kilogram, but at the same time had not significantly reduced their production. Therefore, »inventory pressure has built up again, and prices have stopped climbing lately.«
With the expected commissioning of new production capacities for wafers, the analysts believe that prices for solar cells and subsequently for modules could also »come back down to the usual range.« For March, TrendForce anticipates price declines of 3.2 percent compared to February for silicon, 4.3 percent for wafers in the M10 format and 2.4 percent for G12 wafers. Accordingly, price declines of 3.6 percent are expected for cells, regardless of format, and 1.7 percent for factory gate prices of solar modules.
© PHOTON