Featured in In conversation – 08-2018

Upstream down, downstream up

PV has long endured boom-bust cycles driven by high subsidies, and cuts. Italy and Spain were examples of this, but pale in comparison to China, which embarked on the greatest demand destruction events in the history of PV.

 The major impact of demand destruction in China has been the collapse of upstream pricing. Polysilicon prices fell from $17 to $12 despite most major plants shutting down for “annual maintenance” ahead of schedule. Wafer prices have been reduced from CNY 4.80 to 3.30, and module cost will reach low $0.20s ahead of schedule, allowing a …

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