New polysilicon blow as flood forces closure of Tongwei facility

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
Image: Tongwei.

Severe floods in southeastern China have forced the closure of a polysilicon facility owned by Tongwei, dealing yet another blow to the solar industry’s supply chain.

Tongwei has confirmed the closure of a 20,000-tonne polysilicon plant in Leshan City, Sichuan, after a Level 1 flood alert was issued by authorities. China’s Yangtze River runs through Sichuan, while Leshan itself sits on the interjection of a number of rivers and waterways.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

Tongwei said in a statement issued to Reuters that it was told to stop production immediately by the province’s local emergency management bureau, confirming that it had evacuated all workers from the facility pending further instruction.

The company declined to comment further when contacted by PV Tech.

It serves as a fresh blow to an upstream solar sector already hit by incidents at facilities belonging to GCL-Poly/JZS and Daqo which have impacted polysilicon supply, increasing price volatility and hitting module manufacturing cost control.

Both Tongwei and LONGi have increased prices in recent months, triggered by the underlying seasonality of polysilicon supply moving into H2 but exacerbated by incidents affecting supply.

Yesterday PV Tech reported that project developers and module manufacturers alike had urged caution over recent price volatility and called for greater collaboration within the industry to help limit its impact.

Read Next

May 30, 2025
Companies delayed or cancelled US$14 billion in investments in clean energy projects in the US in the first four months of this year.
May 27, 2025
China has installed a record of 104.9GW of solar PV between January and April 2025, according to data from the Chinese National Energy Administration. 
Premium
May 23, 2025
Tongwei's CEO has told an annual shareholder meeting that next year will see a turning point in industry fortunes as obsolete capacity is phased out.
Premium
May 20, 2025
PV Talk: At this year’s Intersolar event SEIA's Abigail Ross Hopper said a 'universal effort' would be needed for the energy transition
May 19, 2025
Premier Energies has partnered with Sino-American Silicon Products Inc to establish a 2GW per annum silicon wafer manufacturing facility in India.
May 16, 2025
Polysilicon prices have continued to decline slightly this week in China, while polysilicon companies initiated contract signings for moderate volumes.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
June 17, 2025
Napa, USA
Upcoming Webinars
June 30, 2025
10am PST / 6pm BST
Solar Media Events
July 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
July 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
July 8, 2025
Asia