Solar wafer prices rise again amidst COVID supply chain disruption

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
Cell production at a LONGi facility. Image: LONGi.

LONGi Solar has raised prices for its 182mm wafers once again as upstream costs continue to edge upwards this week, exacerbated by constraints caused by COVID-19-related lockdowns in China.

In a price note issued earlier this week, LONGi raised its price quote for its M10 wafers to RMB6.82 (US$0.949) per piece, an increase of 1.8% on the previous price issued on 25 March.

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

It’s the sixth time 182mm wafer prices have been increased so far this year.

LONGi’s price revision comes amidst continuing pressure on the solar value chain, with average prices for polysilicon and wafers also increasing this week. Pricing data provided by PVInfoLink and EnergyTrend suggest average wholesale prices for polysilicon reached around RMB249/kg (inclusive of China’s 20% sales tax) this week, while wafer prices also edged upwards.

Reports in China suggest the transport of polysilicon from Xinjiang has been disrupted by local lockdowns, prompting wafering facilities to reduce utilisation rates and shutter in some instances.

It follows a surge in COVID-19 cases in China and the lockdown of major cities Shanghai and Ningbo, the location of two major ports which account for the significant majority of solar shipments. Road freight in the country is also said to be severely disrupted.

20 April 2027
Istanbul, Türkiye
PV Tech has been running PV CellTech Conferences since 2016. PV CellTech Global, on 20-21 April 2027, is the meeting place for everyone invested in the growth of PV manufacturing and advancement in cell technologies, which will drive us towards the installed capacity required to power the planet by 2050. This is a gathering of key stakeholders driving capital expenditure and technologies for new PV manufacturing plants across the globe to harness the opportunities the growth of PV represents out to 2050 and beyond. The conference takes place in one conference room, where all senior peers have the same shared experience of learning and unique insight, unmatched anywhere else in the solar industry events calendar.

Read Next

July 30, 2026
Walden has secured US$250 million from Crayhill Capital Management to support its 5GW US utility-scale solar PV and BESS pipeline.
July 30, 2026
Australia's CEC calls for a national ‘Renewable Resources Payment’ scheme, requiring a legislated payment for every MWh of renewables.
July 30, 2026
Renewables supplied 42.1% of electricity generated across Australia's NEM in the three months to June 2026, a new quarterly high for Q2.
July 29, 2026
ADB has approved an US$850 million loan to support the second phase of reforms for India's flagship residential rooftop solar programme.
July 29, 2026
Enphase Energy reported revenue of US$291.9 million for the second quarter, up 3.2% in the first quarter of 2026.
July 29, 2026
OCI Holdings has announced plans to double its annual solar-grade polysilicon production to 70,000MT by 2029.

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
October 13, 2026
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
Solar Media Events
November 3, 2026
Málaga, Spain
Solar Media Events
November 24, 2026
Warsaw, Poland
Solar Media Events
April 20, 2027
Istanbul, Türkiye