Solar Silicon Wafer Prices Surge up to 40% Across the Board
Published: August 21, 2026 | Source: Silicon Industry BranchOn August 20, the Silicon Industry Branch released the latest silicon‑wafer market data, showing sharp price increases for silicon wafers this week.
• Average transaction price of N‑type G10L monocrystalline silicon wafer (182*183.75mm /130μm): RMB 1.12 per piece, up 40.00% week‑on‑week
• Average transaction price of N‑type G12R monocrystalline silicon wafer (182*210mm /130μm): RMB 1.14 per piece, up 26.67% week‑on‑week
• Average transaction price of N‑type G12 monocrystalline silicon wafer (210*210mm /130μm): RMB 1.22 per piece, up 10.91% week‑on‑week
Downstream segments also saw price increases. Mainstream solar cell prices rose to RMB 0.33‑0.35 per watt, a week‑on‑week increase of 23.64%.
According to research from the Silicon Industry Branch, the direct trigger for this sharp price jump is a sharp rise in downstream demand. Although domestic end‑market PV installation demand remains tepid, overseas solar‑cell manufacturers have accelerated silicon‑wafer purchases within the time window to avoid potential trade risks brought by the U.S. Section 232 tariff policy, creating a wave of concentrated bulk procurement. At the same time, India’s traditional installation season has arrived, further boosting export orders for silicon wafers.
Driven by soaring demand plus the market sentiment of “buy‑on‑rise”, short‑term supply has tightened and prices have moved upward. Notably, 183‑specification silicon wafers are mainly supplied for overseas markets, while demand for 210R and 210N specifications leans toward domestic China. Therefore, 183‑size wafers recorded far larger price growth this week compared with other products.
On the supply side, industry operating rates remained flat week‑over‑week without obvious fluctuations. Two leading producers maintained operating rates at 52% and 54% respectively. Integrated PV enterprises ran at 56%‑60%, and other manufacturers operated between 50%‑78%. Overall capacity stays stable and cannot quickly expand output to fill the supply gap in the short run.
Tags
Monocrystalline silicon wafer, Silicon wafer price, PV industrial chain, N‑type solar wafer, Global PV market news
