IHS iSuppli (El Segundo, California, U.S.) has released an analysis which finds that global demand and prices for solar polysilicon fell in October 2012 at the highest rate since February 2012. 

IHS iSuppli notes that spot market prices for 9N solar polysilicon fell more than 9%, with contract prices falling roughly 1%, and the company concludes that polysilicon supply still exceeds demand. IHS iSuppli expects prices to fall further in November 2012, and recover slightly around the end of 2012.

"Worldwide polysilicon demand decreased in October, with reduced shipments on both the contract and spot markets," said IHS Photovoltaics Senior Analyst Glenn Gu.

"Not only did overall shipment volumes in October fall by 14 percent from the month before, supply levels and inventories also decreased in October as second- and third-tier Chinese suppliers reduced production. Still, these manufacturing cuts weren’t sufficient to bring supply in balance with demand."

IHS iSuppli notes that prices for the 6N to 8N grade also fell 7% on the spot market and 8% for long-term contracts in October 2012.

2012-11-21 | Courtesy: IHS iSuppli; Image: Wacker Chemie | solarserver.com © Heindl Server GmbH

Our editorial selection of breaking solar news is published at:
www.solarserver.com/solar-magazine/solar-news/top-solar-news.html