Taiwan-based makers plan to hike quotes for polycrystalline silicon solar cells with energy conversion rates over 17.4% to US$0.41-0.45/W in February 2014 to reflect increases in the cost of solar-grade polycrystalline silicon wafers, according to makers.
Solar cell prices have continually risen from US$0.36-0.37 in mid-2013 to US$0.40 currently, the sources indicated.
The US Department of Commerce, in response to charges filed by Germany-based SolarWorld AG's US subsidiary that Taiwan-based solar cell makers have cooperated with China-based PV module suppliers to evade anti-dumping and anti-subsidy tariffs imposed by the US on PV modules imported from China, is likely to launch an investigation of Taiwan-based solar cell makers, the sources noted.
As the investigation may result in punitive tariffs which are usually retrospective for three months at least, China-based PV module makers have asked Taiwan-based solar cell makers to lower prices, the sources indicated. Therefore, it is still uncertain whether prices can be increased in February, the sources said.
