In a new weekly update for pv magazine, OPIS, a Dow Jones company, provides a quick look at the main price trends in the global PV industry.
The Global Polysilicon Marker (GPM)—the OPIS benchmark for polysilicon produced outside China—was assessed at $19.227/kg, or $0.040/W, remaining unchanged from the previous week, according to the OPIS Global Solar Markets Report released on June 9.
Global polysilicon market fundamentals remain broadly stable. However, industry participants interviewed by OPIS during the Shanghai International Photovoltaic Power Generation and Smart Energy Conference & Exhibition (SNEC) last week indicated that future pricing, production strategies and sales trends will likely hinge on the outcome of the U.S.’ Section 232 national security investigation into imports of polysilicon and its derivatives.
According to unofficial industry feedback, the Section 232 investigation findings have already been submitted to the White House, with July 4 now widely viewed by participants as the latest likely date for an announcement.
Substantial pricing disparities persist across supply sources despite relatively stable global polysilicon prices. Market participants said price gaps between long-term contracts for non-Chinese polysilicon from different origins can reach as much as $5/kg, while spot-market differentials can be as wide as $10/kg.
