Weekly Price Analysis – Edition 14th Sept 2020

Indian Cell and Module Market – Current Demand & Supplies

The global solar supply chain has still not recovered due to severe COVID conditions in countries like India and Americas. The uncertainty in prices of input materials like silver paste, glass etc has been keeping the stakeholders on their toes. The prices of solar modules have been inching up to cover up the rise in input costs of solar cells. The announcement of Basic Customs Duty (BCD) on import of solar items can be expected at the end of this month. However, the BCD might not come for items covered under Chapter heading of 85414011. The investigations on anti-dumping duty on import of solar cells and modules are still underway though.  

Imported Supplies

The prices of solar cells have been doing a seesaw due to uncertainty of demand and input costs. The price of 18.8% Solar Cells on FOB China terms has been hovering around USD 0.34/- per pc whereas the price of 340 multi modules on FOB China terms basis have inched up to USD 0.168/- per watt. Similarly, the high wattage modules like 400 plus watt are being priced around USD 0.21 per watt FOB China. The fate of import shipments of solar modules which would land early next month at port still remains uncertain. 

Local Manufacturing

The local manufacturing of solar modules in the country is still under the shadow of COVID conditions though solar cell capacities have been fully utilized. The solar manufacturers are finalizing for further orders of locally manufactured DCR solar cells and modules for Rajasthan tenders. Large players like Adani, Waaree, Vikram and Goldi are eyeing the large ticket size DCR tenders of CPSU companies like BHEL which are under progress now.  Further announcement of First Solar to get into manufacturing of solar products in India could be a short in the arm for the Modi Govt.     

Demand

The demand for renewable energy has been picking up pace against the conventional energy sources around the world under COVID conditions as well. This has been a silver line for solar product manufacturers for the future. 

Impact on Solar Cells and Solar Module Pricing

The prices of locally manufactured Non-DCR solar modules of 330/335 watt have seen around Rs. 16.75 whereas tier one companies like Adani have been offering around 17.50 per watt.  The non DCR mono PERC modules of 375/380 watt are being sold between Rs. 19 to Rs. 19.50 per watt by players like RenewSys. The dollar exchange rate is expected to remain between Rs. 73.50 to Rs. 74. However, the prices of DCR Cells and Modules remained stable as per last week.

See you next week for the next analysis of the prices. Stay at work safely. Best Wishes.