PERC photo voltaic merchandise exhausting to promote resulting from falling TOPCon module costs – pv journal Worldwide

Might 22, 2024 Martin Schachinger, pvXchange.com

There was little motion within the value of photo voltaic modules within the low-performance class this month. Nonetheless, there was a big value adjustment for modules with effectivity ranges of greater than 22%.

The costs of those modules, which are actually primarily outfitted with n-type/TOPCon cells and double-glass, are more and more aligning with these of mainstream modules. There are solely upward outliers for some sorts with interdigitated back-contact (IBC) or heterojunction (HJT) know-how, which aren’t thought of individually on this evaluation.

Manufacturing volumes in China for n-type cells and modules seem to have elevated, however the brand new customs scenario in the USA would possibly already be having an affect. The query is, what is going to this do to the European market? More and more decrease costs would imply that demand would proceed to rise if it weren’t for a number of disruptive components.

There are nonetheless bigger shares of modules produced in 2023 or earlier at distributors, but additionally amongst installers themselves. Nonetheless, if these measure 2 sqm in dimension, they’re promoting poorly resulting from their low efficiency. Constructing house owners often need to see excessive efficiency and the most recent know-how put in in new programs, which makes it far more troublesome for current items to promote.

Regardless of the anticipated discount in module manufacturing and import volumes, extra Asian modules are nonetheless reaching the European market than are presently in demand. That is inflicting inventories to develop, even for high-performance fashions, placing further stress on module costs.

Inventories of outdated modules, which had been produced and bought at considerably increased costs prior to now, should due to this fact be frequently devalued. Nonetheless, this isn’t doable for all gamers, which signifies that there are very totally different costs for modules with PERC know-how out there. General, the worth distinction between these classes is more and more shrinking.

Africa and Southeast Asia will most likely additionally grow to be oversaturated with modules and Chinese language merchandise can’t be offered to the US market. One technique that’s changing into well-liked is to accommodate the smooth components of the industrial enterprise – that’s, fee and supply circumstances. As an alternative of providing modules at decrease costs, credit score traces are granted – usually with out requiring collateral – and free supply is promised. Nonetheless, it’s uncertain that this tactic will work over the long run. Many smaller firms, particularly, are on the brink and imminent fee defaults can’t be dominated out.

Some suppliers additionally take refuge in on-line marketplaces, the place they attempt to shortly promote their inventory items to worldwide prospects with out incurring gross sales and advertising and marketing prices. However the aggressive stress there may be additionally nice and such items can usually solely be offered at dumping costs. The opposite subject is that there’s hardly any solution to get to know the potential enterprise associate upfront –you need to take what you get.

Misunderstandings can come up in enterprise transactions, particularly throughout nationwide borders, and on-line platform operators aren’t all the time out there to supply help and recommendation. The efforts concerned in operating a web-based enterprise shortly grow to be higher than buying or promoting inside a longtime enterprise relationship.

My choice for utilizing surplus older modules is obvious: putting in them in bigger open-space or rooftop programs. The usually smaller codecs aren’t a foul selection, particularly in areas with increased wind or snow masses. The fabric and meeting prices enhance barely in favor of higher statics, however the simpler dealing with makes up for the drawback.

And there may be one other simple benefit: the modules are already in inventory and are due to this fact assured to be out there, which means there could be no supply issues and thus delays within the building course of. You may additionally discover a couple of unsold inverters and cable reels, after which the elements in your PV system are virtually full.

As soon as a system has been constructed and linked to a community, no person is inquisitive about whether or not the modules are of the very newest era or not. In any case, the ensuing belongings could be offered.

Concerning the writer: Martin Schachinger studied electrical engineering and has been energetic within the area of photovoltaics and renewable vitality for nearly 30 years. In 2004, he arrange a enterprise, founding the pvXchange.com on-line buying and selling platform. The corporate shares commonplace elements for brand new installations and photo voltaic modules and inverters which might be not being produced.