PvXchange GmbH (Cologne, Germany) has released an analysis which estimates that for the first time in two years, prices for both crystalline silicon and thin film solar photovoltaic (PV) modules increased in February 2013.

PvXchange notes that manufacturing over-capacities are still affecting the PV market along the entire value chain, but states that stock clearances have been successful. The company predicts that the price rise is the beginning of a trend, and notes the role that strong Japanese and Chinese demand is playing.

“It is to be expected that in February for the first time in 24 months the module prices are not going to be lower than in the previous month,” predicts Martin Schachinger on the pvXchange blog. “On the contrary, a minor increase is in sight, especially in higher performance classes.”

“Immediate availability is only guaranteed for less popular module types with lower efficiency at the moment. The continuing run on higher efficiency classes with reduced production capacities inescapably leads to longer delivery periods up to several weeks. Manufacturers and suppliers take advantage of this situation and revise their prices upward.”

Shortages of preferred module brands, types

Japanese consumers prefer Japanese brands, and pvXchange concludes that the increase in demand in the Japanese market has restricted the supply of these modules to other markets. The company states that increased Chinese demand may also lead to shortage of popular module brands and performance classes.

PvXchange notes that lower-efficiency modules as well as products of Tier 3 manufacturers are still available at lower prices, but the company expects these to be sold off rapidly, and for spot market prices to rise in this sector as well.

Solar Server offers pvXchange's monthly PV module price data through the company's Spot Market Price Index: http://www.solarserver.com/service/pvx-spot-market-price-index-solar-pv-modules.html

2013-02-25 | Courtesy: PvXchange; Image: Panasonic | solarserver.com © Heindl Server GmbH

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