Weekly Solar Industry Insights: March 31st – April 6th , 2025
U.S. Trade Policies Reshape Solar Supply Chains
The U.S. is reshaping its solar supply chain by revising antidumping and countervailing duties (AD/CVD) on products from Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, and Cambodia. Imports from these countries have declined, but Malaysia may benefit from reduced duties. U.S. thin-film manufacturer First Solar is expected to supply 20% of the domestic market. However, as domestic manufacturing scales slowly, the U.S. will still depend on imports from non-China regions. Policy uncertainties could impact future growth, especially regarding IRA subsidies and restrictions on Chinese-funded firms. U.S. solar demand is projected at 36–44 GW in 2025, with steady growth in energy storage as well.
US South and Midwest See Solar Boost with 30% Higher Irradiance in March
March brought exceptional solar conditions to the US South and Midwest, with irradiance soaring up to 30% above average, according to Solcast. Southern Texas led the surge, while broader southern regions saw gains of 20% or more, boosting solar output. Meanwhile, the US West, and Canada faced reduced irradiance due to storm systems and cloud cover, with Quebec dipping nearly 30% below average. These contrasts highlight the dynamic nature of solar resources, emphasizing growing opportunities in sunnier regions while managing variability in others.
European Electricity Markets Experience Negative Prices
Major European electricity markets, including Portugal and Spain, recorded negative electricity prices, reaching their lowest hourly figures on March 30. This trend underscores the growing influence of renewable energy sources on market dynamics.
India’s Solar Manufacturing Hits 74 GW Milestone
India’s solar module capacity has nearly doubled to 74 GW in March 2025, while PV cell capacity tripled to 25 GW, driven by the PLI scheme and $4.8 billion in investments. The nation added a record 25 GW of renewable energy in 2024-25, with solar contributing 21 GW. India also inaugurated its first 2 GW ingot-wafer facility, boosting local production. Union Minister Shri Prahlad Joshi stated that India is set to become the world’s third-largest renewable energy holder, as it crosses 100 GW of installed solar capacity.
Polysilicon Market Holds Steady Amid Surplus
The global polysilicon market remains stable at $20.260/kg or $0.046/W, despite production outpacing consumption. With major wafer manufacturers sustaining demand through long-term contracts, inventory levels are rising. Growth in non-Chinese wafer capacity and Cambodia’s upcoming 2 GW ingot plant may boost future demand. Meanwhile, Oman’s planned 100,000 MT/year polysilicon facility targets partial production by mid-year, though summer energy challenges could cause delays. In China, mono-grade polysilicon prices remain steady at CNY 33.625/kg, with no short-term price hikes expected.
Technological Innovations in Solar Recycling
Researchers from Poland's AGH University of Krakow and Singapore's Solar Energy Research Institute have developed a novel method for recycling crystalline silicon PV panels. Utilizing electrohydraulic shockwave fragmentation, this technique enables the recovery of over 99.5% of the panels' weight, marking a significant advancement in sustainable solar technology.
Information source: PV magazine
