Ge Long Hui A P P·2026-01-17 11:23Core Viewpoint - The photovoltaic (PV) module industry is experiencing an unexpected price surge in early 2026, driven by the impending cancellation of export tax rebates and rising costs of key materials like silver and aluminum, leading to significant profit compression and potential industry-wide upheaval [1][7][19]. Price Surge and Market Dynamics - Several distributed PV investment companies have reported sudden price increases on previously agreed contracts, with one leading manufacturer raising prices from 0.73 yuan/W to 0.8 yuan/W [2]. - On January 13, Trina Solar announced a collective price increase for various distributed PV module models, with official guidance prices ranging from 0.85 to 0.89+ yuan/W [2][3]. - A total of 12 module manufacturers raised their prices this week, with increases ranging from 0.04 to 0.15 yuan/W [4]. Cost Factors - The cancellation of export tax rebates, effective April 1, 2026, is a significant catalyst for the price increases, as companies rush to fulfill orders before the policy takes effect [7][8]. - The price of silver has surged over 150% in 2025, increasing its cost share in PV modules from approximately 17% to around 30%, making it the largest cost component [10][13]. - The rising prices of aluminum and other materials have further exacerbated cost pressures, with aluminum's cost share increasing from 8-12% to 12-15% [14][16]. Industry Overcapacity and Challenges - The PV industry is facing severe overcapacity, with silicon production capacity expected to cover more than double the global demand from 2025 to 2027, while actual demand is below 600 GW [17]. - Despite the overcapacity, over 40 billion yuan is still being invested in new PV projects, worsening the supply-demand imbalance [18]. - The cancellation of export tax rebates is anticipated to trigger a brutal industry-wide clearing, with many companies lacking competitive advantages likely to exit the market [19][24]. Financial Impact and Future Outlook - The removal of export tax rebates will significantly reduce profit margins for PV companies, with estimates indicating a profit reduction of 46-51 yuan per 210R module exported [24]. - Many companies are already reporting substantial losses, with projections indicating that the entire PV silicon industry could face losses amounting to hundreds of billions in 2025 [27][28]. - The industry is expected to undergo a significant consolidation, with over 30% of inefficient capacity being eliminated, allowing leading companies with strong technology and global presence to capture over 80% of the market share [29].