The China government, viewing that total PV system installations in the country in 2014 are expected to be significantly short of target, is likely to extend the applicability of 2014 feed-in tariff rates to February 2015 to boost installations, according to Taiwan-based PV supply chain makers.
Due to surging demand arising from a rush to set up rooftop PV systems and PV power-generating stations, first-tier China-based PV module makers including Trina Solar, JA Solar, Canadian Solar, Yingli Green Energy and Suntech Power have seen their production capacities booked up until first-quarter 2015, the sources said.
Taiwan-based crystalline silicon solar cell makers are expected to benefit from the extension but may not be able to hike prices, the sources indicated. Currently, Taiwan-based makers quote about US$0.32/W for polycrystalline solar cells with energy conversion rates of 17.4-17.6%.
