Solar wafer prices saw dramatic week‑on‑week increases last week, fuelled by robust downstream demand, according to the latest price data published by the Silicon Industry Branch of the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association on August 21.
Major n‑type wafer specifications recorded substantial price growth. The average transaction price for n‑type G10L monocrystalline wafers (182×183.75mm, 130μm) reached RMB1.12 (US$0.16) per piece, soaring 40% week‑on‑week. N‑type G12R monocrystalline wafers (182×210mm, 130μm) averaged RMB1.14 per unit, marking a 26.67% weekly rise, while n‑type G12 monocrystalline wafers (210×210 mm, 130μm) stood at RMB1.22 per piece, up 10.91% from the prior week.
These weighted‑average prices draw on quarterly output proportions from 12 major wafer manufacturers. Participants in the price survey represented 94.1% of China’s domestic monocrystalline wafer output in the second quarter of 2026. All listed prices include tax, with weekly changes measured against the preceding week’s benchmark.
The branch pointed to overseas market forces as the key catalyst for the sharp price rally. Though domestic end‑market demand stayed moderate, foreign solar cell producers stepped up wafer procurement amid a policy window to mitigate risks linked to the US Section 232 trade measures. In addition, India entered its traditional peak solar installation period, generating a sharp uptick in China’s wafer export bookings.
The resulting demand surge created near‑term supply constraints and lifted wafer pricing. Significant divergence appeared across product formats: 183 mm‑format wafers are largely channelled to export markets, which accounts for their far steeper price gains, while 210R and 210N wafer varieties serve primarily domestic Chinese customers.
Looking ahead, the industry body expects strong export volumes to persist, with climbing polysilicon prices delivering further cost‑side backing for wafers. The wafer market is set to keep its steady upward trend.
Per weekly market intelligence from InfoLink, the polysilicon segment has emerged from an extended price stalemate as suppliers release revised offers. Dense re‑feed polysilicon is being quoted around RMB43/kg, and granular polysilicon stands at RMB40‑41/kg, both notably higher than earlier levels. Trading volume for dense re‑feed polysilicon remained limited for the week ending August 21, with activity dominated by distributors and arbitrage players; the RMB43/kg offer has not yet become the widely accepted transaction benchmark.
Price momentum has also travelled downstream to cells and modules. Mainstream solar cell prices climbed to RMB0.33‑0.35/W, representing a 23.64% week‑on‑week gain, driven chiefly by overseas buying.
Shipments are led by 183N and 210RN cell products, whereas demand for 210N cells remains concentrated domestically. By comparison, module prices posted a modest weekly advance, with mainstream offers ranging RMB0.69–0.71/W, up 1.45% week‑on‑week.
