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The fall in the prices of photovoltaic modules does not stop

2023-08-29
Although raw material costs in China are slowly stabilizing, PV module prices continue to fall as inventory levels remain very high.

Price index of pvXchange modules as of August 2023

Image: pvXchange.com

For the fifth consecutive month, module prices further fell by around 6% on average. Continued price declines have resulted in an overall average reduction of 25% for all module technologies since the beginning of the year.

Even as feedstock costs in China have stabilized, high inventories continue to drive module prices down. Manufacturers and wholesalers are grappling with recurring losses in their day-to-day operations. In order to dispose of accumulated inventories, discounts must be offered and those who are not willing to sell below production or purchase prices risk losing.

In response, Asian manufacturers are managing the situation by limiting the filling of European warehouses and reducing supplies. However, the selling pressure persists as existing inventories depreciate on a weekly basis. Some module customers are looking to exit current supply contracts or cancel standing orders. However, such actions are not straightforward and carry potentially high penalties. In these negotiations it is advisable to adjust the purchase price slightly.

The duration of this difficult market scenario remains uncertain. The situation could improve with the potential recovery of PV demand in Europe during the late summer, coupled with the year-end rally in the Chinese market. However, the exact stock levels of solar panels, particularly PERC technology, in European warehouses and the timing for disposing of this excess remain uncertain. Further price reductions are expected in the coming weeks and months.

Overview of differentiated pricing by technology in August 2023, including changes from the previous month (as of August 15, 2023):

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