Import of solar panels grows by 180% in August

Survey carried out by Greener, a consultancy and research company, indicated that, in August 2021, the imported volume of photovoltaic modules reached 594 MWp, an increase of 179.5% compared to the same period in 2020.

According to the study, single-face solar panels accounted for 63.4% of the monthly amount and high-power panels (+500 Wp) accounted for 35% of the total with 209 MWp.

Drawing a comparison between August and July this year, there was an increase of 19.5% in the volume of imported panels. The highlight was the single-facial panels, which represented 64% of the total. 

“This increase in imports has been a reality in our sector year after year. In 2020, for example, we at Ecori, in the last 5 months of the year, imported a volume of 150% greater than the sum of the first seven months”, said Leandro Martins, president of Ecori Energia Solar. 

Read more: Bifacial modules dominate the photovoltaic sector in 2020 in Brazil

The executive also discussed the increase in the import of bifacial solar panels, which is due to the greater number of models in this category that are supported by ex-tariffs. “This movement should continue to occur if monofacials continue to have greater restrictions in obtaining this tax benefit.”

Furthermore, Martins commented that the average ticket for plants should also continue to increase until the end of next year, “as many larger consumers want to take advantage of the current energy compensation rule”, he concluded. 

Read more: Import of panels in the 1st half of 2021 exceeds 2020 volume

Import of inverters

Regarding photovoltaic inverters, Greener pointed out that, in August this year, the volume reached 670 MW, which corresponds to an increase of 69.85% compared to the same month in 2020 and -17% to July 2021.

In August, the highlight was the larger inverters (+50.1 kW) which accounted for 42% of the total volume imported from string technology. Medium-sized ones represented 22% and small-sized ones represented 36%. 

Price of solar panels 

Another point highlighted by the study is that, in August 2021, there was a decrease of -0.33% in the FOB price (Free On Board) average number of photovoltaic panels, compared to the results from July this year, totaling a percentage increase of 19.2% since December 2020. 

Greener predicts a strong increase in panel prices for the second half of the year, possibly extending throughout 2022.