This week, 2nd grade polysilicon continues the strong price performance due to anticipation for the Chinese anti-dumping case against polysilicon import from US, Korea, and EU.

This week, 2nd grade polysilicon continues the strong price performance due to anticipation for the Chinese anti-dumping case against polysilicon import from US, Korea, and EU. Since possible tariff will raise the overall polysilicon price level, 2nd grade polysilicon companies in China raise their prices before the Chinese government makes official announcement, which is expected to take place in Feb. On the other hand, solar companies are less willing to buy imported polysilicon on the spot fearing possible retroactive tariff cost at the time when overall PV polysilicon production declines. Consequently, PV grade polysilicon has a moderate price increase despite the lower demand in the spot.

Wafer prices also increase this week as demand picks up. Solar companies are becoming more hesitant to use PV grade polysilicon for wafer production due to the Chinese polysilicon antidumping case. As a consequence, many integrated solar companies start to outsource wafers in order to prevent possible added tariff costs on polysilicon. With increasing wafer demand, their prices increase this week.

Downstream system demand from China and Japan remains promising while demand in western countries is improving with people return to work. With growing downstream demand and the wafer price increase, solar cells and modules also experience some price increase this week.

Although solar component prices are not expected to decrease for the short term; however, market oversupply still puts pressure on solar component prices. Without substantial system demand improvement, component prices are still expected to decrease in the long term.