Solar wafer and cell makers in Greater China plan to increase capacity utilization rates to full after the Lunar New Year holidays and hope product prices will increase as well.
Solar firms believe that solar module price trends will show downstream end market demand.
Since the beginning of 2013, solar firms have been hoping to increase product prices because prices were too low in 2012. Many firms noted that the price of solar modules increased but some believe prices have been steady.
Solar firms in China stated that due to increasing domestic demand and low inventory levels in Europe, solar module prices have increased to EUR0.55/watt (US$0.74/watt) compared to the price of EUR0.4-0.5/watt at the end of 2012.
On the other hand, international firms pointed out China-based tier-one solar firms have been holding module prices steady at EUR0.4-0.5/watt. In addition, solar module quotes from Europe-based firms fell slightly to EUR0.65/watt.
The price trend of solar modules is an important indication of downstream end market demand. If the price increase is not accepted by customers, it may lead to a price drop.
