Mei Ri Jing Ji Xin Wen·2026-02-12 10:49Core Viewpoint - The Chinese photovoltaic industry is facing a significant cost increase due to soaring silver prices, which have become a critical material for battery metallization, impacting profit margins and pricing strategies across the supply chain [1][2]. Group 1: Silver Price Impact - Silver prices have shown a sharp increase, with futures reaching 32,400 yuan/kg and spot prices hitting $121.64/oz by the end of January 2026, leading to a substantial rise in costs for photovoltaic components [2]. - The demand for silver in the photovoltaic sector has surged, consuming over 6,000 tons annually since 2020, accounting for nearly 20% of total silver demand [2]. - The cost of silver paste has increased, raising the complete cost of battery cells to over 0.5 yuan/W, with module costs exceeding 0.9 yuan/W [2][3]. Group 2: Cost Structure and Profit Margins - The proportion of silver in photovoltaic raw material costs has risen from approximately 9% in 2024 to over 30%, becoming the largest cost component outside of silicon [3]. - The rising raw material costs combined with low terminal product prices have created a "scissors gap," severely squeezing profit margins, contributing to widespread industry losses in 2025 [4]. - As of early February 2026, silver prices experienced volatility, with futures dropping to 20,600 yuan/kg, leading to a decrease in battery and module prices [4]. Group 3: Market Dynamics and Order Visibility - Domestic market orders are declining, with limited visibility on new contracts, while overseas markets are expected to dominate shipments in Q1 2026 due to export tax influences [5]. - The procurement attitude is cautious amid weak seasonal demand and recent price increases in components, resulting in insufficient order visibility for Q1 2026 [5]. Group 4: Cost Reduction Strategies - Companies are pursuing technological upgrades to reduce costs, with Longi Green Energy focusing on "cheap metalization" technology for mass production by Q2 2026 [6][8]. - Aiko Solar has implemented silver-free technology, significantly reducing costs and avoiding the impact of silver price fluctuations [8]. - The industry is exploring pathways for cost reduction through the substitution of cheaper metals and process optimizations, aiming for a silver consumption reduction of 10% to 20% [9]. Group 5: Future Outlook - The silver price is expected to remain high with fluctuations, driven by an expanding supply-demand gap and increased industrial demand, particularly from the photovoltaic sector [9]. - The impact of the "space photovoltaic" concept on silver demand is currently limited, with expectations for a 10% decrease in global silver usage in photovoltaics in 2026 compared to 2025 [9].