经济观察报·2026-01-25 10:54Core Viewpoint - The photovoltaic industry is undergoing a brutal survival elimination race and a deep restructuring of the industrial pattern, with the next phase expected to be redefined after this intense reshuffle [2][4]. Group 1: Industry Performance and Losses - In 2025, major companies in the photovoltaic sector are expected to report significant losses, with JinkoSolar forecasting a net loss of 5.9 billion to 6.9 billion yuan, Trina Solar predicting a loss of 6.5 billion to 7.5 billion yuan, and Tongwei expecting a loss of 9 billion to 10 billion yuan [2][6]. - The total expected losses from leading companies amount to hundreds of billions, indicating that the photovoltaic industry is still mired in a loss-making situation [2][5]. - The industry has shifted from a phase of rapid expansion to a deep adjustment period, with companies generally operating at a loss to maintain operations, severely squeezing overall profitability [7][12]. Group 2: Causes of the Crisis - The root cause of the current industry crisis is attributed to aggressive expansion in the past, leading to severe structural oversupply and intense price competition [3][6]. - The prices of key materials such as silicon have plummeted from 300,000 yuan per ton in 2022 to around 55,000 yuan per ton, while silver prices have nearly doubled in recent months, further exacerbating the challenges faced by companies [4][10]. Group 3: Strategic Responses and Industry Restructuring - In response to the crisis, leading companies are turning to mergers and acquisitions to strengthen competitiveness or are extending into related fields such as energy storage and hydrogen energy to seek strategic breakthroughs [4][12]. - TCL Zhonghuan announced plans to invest in a new energy technology company to enhance its integrated strategy and expand battery and module production capacity [12]. - The industry is experiencing a "淘汰赛" (elimination race), with smaller companies likely to exit the market or seek mergers as the competitive landscape narrows [13][14]. Group 4: Future Outlook and Recovery Potential - Companies like Tongwei have seen some operational profitability in the latter half of 2025, but overall losses are expected to continue due to declining sales prices and rising raw material costs [9][10]. - The recovery of profitability is contingent on the overall price recovery across the supply chain and the expansion of photovoltaic application scenarios, which could provide significant growth opportunities [9][10]. - The photovoltaic industry is witnessing a recent increase in component prices, with some manufacturers raising prices by 0.04 to 0.15 yuan per watt, indicating a potential shift in market dynamics [18][19].