Taiwan-based crystalline silicon solar cell makers have lowered quotes for PERC (passivated emitter and rear cell) monocrystalline models from US$0.49/W at the beginning of 2015 to US$0.45/W currently due to lower-than-expected demand, according to industry sources.
Demand for PV modules and cells in Europe and Japan has significantly decreased because of increased prices due to depreciation of the Euro and Japanese yen against the US dollar, the sources said.
Taiwan-based makers, the major global supply source of PERC monocrystalline solar cells, originally planned to expand production capacity around the end of 2014 but have deferred plans because orders have been short, the sources indicated.
Taiwan-based makers' existing annual production capacities for PERC monocrystalline solar cells are estimated at 10GWp in total, with energy conversion rates ranging from 20.0% to 20.4%, the sources said. In comparison, China-based solar cell makers are prepared to set up capacities for PERC monocrystalline models in 2015, with production expected to begin at the earliest in the third quarter, the sources indicated. China-based makers' combined annual capacity for PERC monocrystalline solar cells may reach 12GWp, the sources noted.
