Four major Chinese solar wafer makers raise prices

Four leading solar wafer manufacturers announced a price increase on the afternoon of December 25, raising prices across key wafer sizes and lifting the average market level by about 12 per cent. Analysts link the change to higher raw material costs and continued tightness in parts of the photovoltaic (PV) supply chain.

In their coordinated announcement, the companies confirmed that the price of 183.75mm wafers has been adjusted to RMB 1.4 per piece (approximately USD 0.19 per piece). Prices for 210R wafers have been set at RMB 1.5 per piece (approximately USD 0.21 per piece), while 210N wafers have been increased to RMB 1.7 per piece (approximately USD 0.24 per piece). Chinese wafer makers Longi Green Energy Technology and other major producers, including TCL Zhonghuan, Gaojing Solar, and Shuangliang Silicon Materials, were cited as participants in the coordinated price move according to industry reports. 

According to analysis from Shanghai Metals Market (SMM), the increase reflects fundamental cost pressures rather than short-term speculation. Sharp recent increases in key industrial metals have pushed up non-silicon manufacturing costs for solar cells and modules. At the same time, wafer inventory levels are described as healthy, but supply remains relatively constrained. SMM notes that while the adjustment is broadly in line with market expectations, final transaction volumes will depend on how downstream cell and module manufacturers respond to the higher prices.

Industry analysts attribute the price rise to cost pressures and supply trends in the photovoltaic (PV) supply chain. Sharp increases in industrial metal prices have raised non-silicon production costs for cells and modules, underpinning upward pricing pressure on wafers. At the same time, wafer inventories remain relatively modest against tight supply, supporting stronger pricing. Final trading volumes at the new price levels will depend on acceptance by downstream cell and module manufacturers, especially as they factor higher wafer costs into their procurement plans. 

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