Forward: Top-Tier Photovoltaic Polysilicon and Wafer Producers to be Profitable in 2

Thread Content

Despite continuous price pressure, falling costs are expected to enable positive margins for best of class suppliers. Santa Clara, Calif., July 2, 2012—PV (photovoltaic) polysilicon prices are forecast to drop 48% and wafer prices 56% year-over-year in 2012. With such severe price declines, only 12 Chinese PV polysilicon manufacturers are still in production, and more than half of these companies are operating at significantly reduced capacity levels. On an industry-wide basis, wafer production plant utilization is expected to average only 53% in 2012. However, as prices approach the current cash costs of even top-tier manufacturers, the rate of price decline is expected to slow down to less than 7% per year. The average polysilicon price in 2013 is projected to be $23/Kg, while wafer prices are expected to be $0.25/W. As stated in the NPD Solarbuzz Q2’12 Polysilicon and Wafer Supply Chain Quarterly Report, even at these low prices, top-tier manufacturers can still achieve positive margins. Source: http://www.solarbuzz.com/cn/news/recent-findings/top-tier-photovoltaic-polysilicon-and-wafer-producers-be-profitable-2013. Due to my limited English skills, I am concerned that the translation might result in awkward or misleading expressions; therefore, I am reproducing the original text here! Sharing with everyone 1