Europe-based customers reportedly accept higher solar cell quotes Nuying Huang, Taipei; Jackie Chang, DIGITIMES [Wednesday 6 June 2012] Market trends have been different from predictions prior to the announcement of anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties by the US government, according to Wen-Whe Pan, Gintech president and COO. Price negotiations with China-based solar firms have been in gridlock but some solar firms reportedly have been successful in increasing quotes when dealing with Europe-based customers, said industry sources.
Demand in Europe has been rising despite the devaluation of the euro. System firms have been rushing to complete projects before the end of June to be eligible for the older solar incentives before Germany's April 1 cuts.
According to Pan, the market trend has been different than previously predicted. Taiwan-based solar cell makers were expected to benefit from the anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties, but actually the price increases have been subdued. On the other hand, demand in Europe continues to rise.
Pan said he is optimistic about order visibility for the third quarter.
Due to the April 1 incentive cuts, installations in Germany in the first quarter reached 1.6GW. The market expects installations to be higher in the second quarter due to the fact that the April 1 incentive cuts have been put on hold.
