Chinese solar module manufacturers have raised prices by over a fifth since December, two executives from Indian solar power developers said. This can have an impact on a developing power of around 10 gigawatts (GW). The Chinese companies are also waiving contracts to supply the equipment at the agreed price, even if there is a risk that their bank guarantees will be redeemed, these developers said.
Prices for contracts signed at 19 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) have been raised, with a price of 23 cents per kWh since December, said one of the above two people. Any price increase affects the internal rate of return (IRR) of projects that have already signed Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs).
Because India has strict project start-up deadlines, failure to meet these deadlines results in penalties for developers. India imported solar photovoltaic cells, modules and modules worth US $ 2.16 billion in 2018-19. Major Chinese solar module manufacturers include Trina Solar Ltd., Jinko Solar, ET Solar, Chint Solar and GCL-Poly Energy Holdings Ltd.
“Several developers have bid aggressively, considering low prices. What happens to this capacity now? Chinese manufacturers cite high prices for material costs as the reason for this increase, even on contract projects, “said the head of a large clean energy company, one of the above people, who previously requested anonymity.
Inquiries by email to the spokesman for the Indian ministry and about new and renewable energies remained unanswered until going to press.
Email inquiries sent to Trina Solar Ltd., Jinko Solar, ET Solar, Chint Solar and GCL-Poly Energy Holdings Ltd. on Monday evening. were also sent unanswered.
The rise in solar module prices is due to India's decision to impose 40% basic tariff on solar modules and 25% on solar cells from April 1, 2022. This would make imports more expensive and encourage local production.
India's Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has issued an order enforcing a list of approved solar PV models and module manufacturers for government-sponsored programs, including projects where distribution companies procure electricity to power their consumers.
“We have seen prices for solar modules from China rise in the last two quarters. The global disruption in the supply chain that began with the pandemic has been exacerbated by container shortages, winter weather, factory fires, plastic price increases and logistical issues, “said Sanjeev Aggarwal, founder and managing director of Amplus Energy Solutions Pvt. Ltd..
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