Taiwan solar cell makers reduce Average Selling Prices of solar cells by 3-6%
Nuying Huang, Taipei; Esther Lam, DigiTimes.com 14 December 2006
Source: DigiTimes
http://www.digitimes.com/bits_chips/a20061214PD208.html
The industry-wide downward price trend of solar cells prompted Taiwan makers to reduce their average selling prices (ASP) by 3-6% per watt during late November to early December, according to local sources. Leading players, including E-ton Solar Tech and Motech Industries, however, claimed their ASPs remain firm.
The latest quotes posted by solar industry observer SolarBuzz show that the ASP for solar modules in Europe shrank slightly whereas it remained flat in the US. The sources indicated that solar cells from Taiwan makers had dropped to US$3.10-3.20 per watt from the previous US$3.30.
In response to the weakening price trend, E-ton said that price adjustments are inevitable due to different requirements from customers. However, the company stressed that its quotes remain firm due to a flexible product mixture as well as high-quality production.
Rival Motech, on the other hand, indicated that after it raised ASPs in the second quarter, the company maintained stable prices in the third quarter, according to a company spokesperson. The solar cell maker also stressed that its relationship with customers are long term, so is thus less sensitive to street price fluctuations.
From the supply side, local solar cell makers noted that in addition to requests from customers to adjust prices, overseas competitors are aggressively expanding thereby increasing pressures on the makers’ quotes. The makers also commented that customers would no longer accept a continual rise in prices after experiencing a rise in ASPs in the first half of 2006.