MEMC notes solar wafer price falls stabilizing

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

After significant polysilicon and wafer price declines in 2009, MEMC executives have become more upbeat about demand and price stability entering the first quarter of 2010 and beyond. In a conference call to discuss fourth quarter results, the company noted that capacity utilization of silicon wafer production was at approximately 80%, with a demand recovery underway in the semiconductor industry, enabling a firming in prices to that sector. In solar, price declines were said to have moderated and the company was now shipping wafers to 10 of the top 25 PV manufacturers, compared to having made shipments to only 2 solar customers at the beginning of 2009.

“I think pricing stopped declining at a rapid rate we’ve had in the fourth quarter, declined at a rate that we could digest,” commented Tim Oliver, Senior VP and CFO at MEMC in the conference call. “And I think in Q1 we are hoping it would stay stable at that level.”

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

MEMC reported net sales of US$356.7 million, for the fourth quarter, representing an increase of 15.1% from third quarter 2009 net sales of US$310.0 million, and a decrease of 16.2% from fourth quarter 2008, when net sales were US$425.7 million.

“The fourth quarter marked the third sequential quarterly improvement in revenue as we continue to recover from the economic downturn,” said Ahmad Chatila, MEMC's Chief Executive Officer. “Pricing pressure has moderated, product volumes continued to increase and our efforts to improve our competitive positioning are working.”

MEMC noted in the call that semiconductor wafer prices would rise in the ‘single digit’ range in the first quarter and that the company was converting 200mm wafer production to 300mm at its plant in Korea to meet demand for the larger wafer size.

Read Next

Premium
October 10, 2025
Gaëtan Masson of IEA PVPS warns of overcapacity, collapsing prices and slipping module quality in the new Trends in PV Applications report.
October 10, 2025
The European solar module market has reached a “state of equilibrium” in recent weeks, with stable prices and regular demand.
October 10, 2025
US solar recycling firm OnePlanet has achieved the R2v3 certification from electronics sustainability non-profit SERI, which represents the “highest standards of traceability”.
October 10, 2025
NTPC Renewable Energy Limited has signed an MoU with the Government of Gujarat to develop 15GW renewable energy projects in Gujarat.
October 10, 2025
Australia's renewable energy sector recorded its slowest month of the year for additions in September, with 5.8GW of new projects added to development pipelines, according to data from Rystad Energy.
October 9, 2025
The Australian government has announced the results of the fourth Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS) tender, with 6.6GW of renewables awarded long-term contracts.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
October 21, 2025
New York, USA
Solar Media Events
November 25, 2025
Warsaw, Poland
Solar Media Events
December 2, 2025
Málaga, Spain
Solar Media Events
February 3, 2026
London, UK