Market Analysis

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MARKET ANALYSIS: Price development of solar modules

Here you will find the complete collection of all articles on the price development of solar modules as well as commentaries on the PV market development, which are also published in trade journals such as pv magazine or photovoltaik as well as on online platforms such as Solarserver or EUWID Energie.

Monitoring the price development of solar modules is of crucial importance for investors, manufacturers and other players in the solar energy industry. A sound understanding of market trends makes it possible to make the most of opportunities and take forward-looking decisions.

As a way to stay informed about PV price developments and other important trends, pvXchange Solarshop offers a monthly market report. This report provides regularly updated information and analysis to give readers a comprehensive picture of the solar market and help them make informed decisions. Additional information on the development of the PV market is also available in our photovoltaic price index.

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PV Expert Dipl.-Ing. Martin Schachinger

Managing Partner | Business Development

Founder and Managing Director Martin Schachinger has been involved with photovoltaics for almost 30 years. Since 2008, he has regularly surveyed module prices and written market commentaries that have made him a sought-after expert in the international solar industry.


17.12.2018

If you want to talk to manufacturers about module prices for 2019 – to submit a binding tender offer, perhaps – prepare to be disappointed. No one knows where the market is headed yet, which is why no one really wants to commit themselves - in other words, planning security is still tending towards nil. Apparently, the German government's backing off from the short-term cuts to feed-in tariffs in the mid-sized plant segment is still not sufficient inducement for suppliers to ratchet up their capacities or delivery volumes in short order.

19.11.2018

“I’m not installing anymore this year – I’m not going to put myself through that kind of stress.” You increasingly hear this or something similar when you talk to German planners or installers these days. And you can also hear some variant of, “If I order more modules now, can you guarantee me that I’ll actually get them on time?” In short, there is a simmering discontent in the market that occasionally boils over into all-out anger but also expresses itself as simple resignation. So, what is it that has quashed the generally positive mood in Germany so quickly?

19.10.2018

Judging merely by the prices over the past few weeks, the answer would seem to be an unequivocal no. But if you believe the voices of some manufacturers, then the end of the across-the-board slump in module prices is within reach. Once again, a shortage seems to be emerging, at least among some tier-1 manufacturers. Both inexpensive polycrystalline and high-performance monocrystalline modules with PERC cells are no longer available on short notice in whatever quantity is desired. Apparently the products of the top manufacturers have sold so well in recent weeks due to the low prices that short-term supplies are no longer guaranteed.

19.09.2018

It’s official now: since September 3rd, the minimum import price has actually been relegated to history! After the majority of EU representatives consulted during preliminary talks spoke out against further market restrictions, the Commission is refraining from a further review of possible acts of price dumping by Chinese manufacturers. In the context of the general discussion about protectionist measures in the USA and the corresponding retaliatory measures by Europe and China, a continuation of the market restrictions for Asian solar products would have sent a very bad signal.

22.08.2018

With subdued demand over the past four to six weeks, prices have remained largely stable. Only certain products are being offered at a discount over the previous month, which has led to minor price changes for high-efficiency modules and standard polycrystalline modules (mainstream). However, the price changes are actually smaller than the rounded index values make it appear and are in the sub-0.5 euro cents per watt-peak range. Particularly with the major brands such as Hanwha Q-Cells, Jinko Solar and Canadian Solar, there is not much activity at the moment.

24.07.2018

… so ended a recent e-mail from a good friend in the PV industry, someone with over 30 years of experience in photovoltaics, one of the pioneers of the industry. It was regarding an exchange about current market developments and the sharp price declines over the past few weeks and months. His superiors and colleagues at one of the big German energy companies just cannot believe what is happening in the market right now - and the madhouse comparison is not a bad analogy!

29.06.2018

"I'm sorry, but I have to admit: there are things in the world that are, unfortunately, awesome." sings the German hip-hop group Deichkind aptly and self-critically. The same can be said, in my view at least, about the current downward spiral of module and cell prices. Of course, it is clear to all of us that some companies - especially module producers - will again fall by the wayside.

25.05.2018

The alliance between policy makers and the big energy and car manufacturers claims to back climate protection, but does it have any shred of credibility left? Can we really place the fate of the environment and humankind into the hands of those who have proven over the years through stonewalling, trivializing, or foolhardy complacency that they neither have any interest in, nor are capable of changing the status quo?

20.04.2018

.. But is he gone for good? We are talking about Frank Asbeck and his company SolarWorld. It was only last August that I reported on the comeback of Mr. Asbeck as an investor and the new/old CEO of the PV module production and sales company that had risen from the ashes of insolvency. Now, the company has been shuttered once again - a new bankruptcy petition has been filed.

22.03.2018

Buying low, selling high, pocketing the difference - on the face of it, it does not sound complicated and can also be quite lucrative if you do not have a large overhead. In the PV sector, too, there are still numerous very small companies that operate like this without giving it much thought. Many small wholesalers are not even aware of the risks they are taking.

18.03.2018

The current market situation, at least for Central Europe, can be summarized as follows: same old story. The price level has neither changed over the past month nor has the general availability of the different module types improved - on the contrary. Whereas last month it was still possible to order relatively reliable polycrystalline modules for short-term delivery from many suppliers, as early as at the beginning of March, even for medium power classes, buyers were put off until April, May or even June.

26.02.2018

The scarcity of cost-efficient polycrystalline modules in the "Mainstream" class, evident since the beginning of the year, continues. The Trump decision in the USA has not yet had any visible impact, such as increasing module volumes for the European market due to lower demand on the other side of the pond.