Given that feed-in tariffs (FiT) and incentive schemes in major solar PV markets such as Germany are set to continue decreasing, perhaps faster than some might have expected a year ago, it is not a surprise that suppliers are maintaining a strong focus on reducing costs.
First Solar has become well known for its low-cost manufacturing and did not disappoint in Q2’10, by driving its costs down 8% to US$0.74.W/, citing improved throughput, increased efficiencies and reduced material costs as helping it achieve this.
As a result of the increased volumes and high utilisations predicted in the third quarter, IMS Research forecasts that solar module production costs will fall once again in Q3’10.
However, as the supply of wafers remains short, crystalline solar cell manufacturers (particularly those that are not vertically integrated) are predicted to see increases in raw material costs, handing some advantage back to thin-film suppliers such as First Solar and making it more difficult to reduce costs further – in the short-term at least.
Are solar PV module prices really falling?
Another unlikely trend throughout the data that IMS Research has collected from Asian and US suppliers is the decline of factory-gate selling prices – certainly unusual, given the current sky-high levels of demand and tight supply.
However, although in Q2 these suppliers are reporting a decrease in the revenue generated by each solar PV module sold, due to exchange rate issues this has not translated into any decrease in prices to wholesalers, distributers or end-customers. So some caution needs to be taken when analysing these companies’ Q2 results – lower reported ASPs does not necessarily mean ASPs have gotten any lower!
Although Europe accounted for some 82% of solar PV installations in Q2’10, the vast majority of solar modules were supplied by companies recognising their revenues in currencies other than the Euro.
As such, currency fluctuations over the last quarter have resulted in great differences between the amount that suppliers supply their solar modules for, and the amount of revenues that they realise from that sale.
For example, Chinese crystalline solar cell and module manufacturer, Solarfun, announced last week that its solar PV module average selling price (ASP) had declined by 6.8% in the second quarter to RMB 11.19/W.
However, converted to Euros (at the appropriate quarterly exchange rates), where the majority of its revenues are generated (Germany, Italy, Belgium and France combined accounted for over 80% of its module shipments during Q2), the truth is its prices actually rose by 3.1%!
Whilst the depreciation of the Euro (against the US Dollar and the Renminbi) has negatively impacted on the margins of many solar module manufacturers, European suppliers will appreciate, at least temporarily, the aid in their battle to remain price competitive on their home ground against the aggressive pricing of their Asian competition.
The second half of 2010 and what happens next?
There is almost no uncertainty surrounding demand for solar PV in the second half of this year and 2010 will certainly prove to be another remarkable year for the industry. Solar PV module shipments are forecast to increase by an incredible 60% over 2009 to reach 15.6 GW.
Solar system integrators and project developers continue to rush to realise installations right through to the end of the year, particularly in Germany – despite the recent reductions in the EEG – driven by further cuts which will take place on 1 October and 1 January 2011.
As a result, solar module shipments are forecast to increase to more than 4 GW in Q3’10 in order to complete and connect systems to the grid by the end of the year. Crystalline solar module prices are predicted to remain relatively unaffected by additional feed-in tariff reductions in Germany and are forecast to increase slightly (in Euros) in Q3, due to this strong demand.
Beyond 2010 the situation is less clear and questions remain over how the industry will respond to multiple feed-in tariff reductions in the largest European markets heading into 2011. A strong consensus is apparent in the market today that we will see another unhealthy drop in demand (similar to that experienced early in 2009 following the demise of the Spanish market) and the return of seasonality.
IMS Research forecasts that solar installations in EMEA will decline by 80% Q-o-Q in Q1’10. This, coupled with capacities that have been ramped to their maximum in order to serve the strong demand of H2’10, is forecast to quickly reverse the current imbalance between supply and demand and average solar PV module prices are forecast to commence their downward trend once again.
One supplier with a more optimistic outlook for the New Year is First Solar. The solar thin-film supplier recently announced that it planned to construct 500-700 MW of systems in 2011 and boasted a ‘captive pipeline’ of utility-scale business that would buffer any fluctuations in demand.
Following its acquisition of project developer NextLight, First Solar plans to begin the construction of a massive 290 MW solar power plant before the end of 2010 and install modules there throughout 2011.
Falling demand from 2011
One thing is for certain: most agree that 2011 demand cannot remain as strong as 2010, and if this is the case, not all suppliers can afford to be as optimistic as First Solar.
About the author
The article was provided by Sam Wilkinson, PV Research Analyst at IMS Research.
IMS Research is a supplier of market research and consultancy services on a wide range of global electronics markets. The company is supported by headquarters in Wellingborough, UK and offices in Austin, Texas and Shanghai, China. IMS Research regularly publishes detailed research on the solar PV inverter market and other areas of the PV industry, among others.
www.imsresearch.com and www.pvmarketresearch.com