Polysilicon and international shipping costs may remain high for a few years before normalizing again. This is what a statement released by Jinko Solar pointed out.
According to the company, the global solar industry's supply chain problems, triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic, may continue into 2022, and the price drop for photovoltaic equipment may consequently not materialize.
“The last announced price of solar-grade polysilicon jumped 10% month-on-month on February 15, reaching 249 RMB/kg (39,3 US$/kg), the highest since 2011,” the manufacturer said.
In other words, there has been an increase of more than 400% since the beginning of June 2020 and 280% annual growth. “It’s the opposite of most predictions that polysilicon costs will decline in 2022.”
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According to the company, polysilicon producers are recording very high margins, which makes them reluctant to reduce prices.
“Long-lasting shortages give a refreshing excuse for polysilicon manufacturers to maintain the value at a high level, and the solar module pricing environment is continually 'nervous' after China's Spring Festival,” the company said in a note.
In the statement, the company also highlighted that strong demand and the effect on inflation together create a destructive mix in the solar photovoltaic industry.
“The current polysilicon shortage will drive panel manufacturers to reduce silicon consumption per horsepower and seek to increase efficiency in an effort to further reduce costs,” they reported.
According to Jinko, adopting higher power and higher efficiency technologies and products may be the only way forward for downstream project developers.
“For example, panels with efficiency greater than 22% and less degradation, which will lead to economies of scale and lower $/W”, they concluded.
LONGi increases wafer price
A LONG Solar also announced that it increased the prices of its line of photovoltaic wafers, reaching the highest level in the last four months. Below are the values:
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