New Energy
Solar Industry Facing Whiplash From Volatile Material Prices
- Polysilicon has plunged and rebounded over a short period
- Manufacturers forced to rapidly adjust pricing strategies
This article is for subscribers only.
Even as solar power grows into one of the world’s largest sources of new energy, the industry behind it is facing unprecedented volatility as a battle for profits intensifies.
The roller-coaster ride is best seen through the lens of polysilicon, the key material in solar panels. Prices fell more than 40% over the course of a few weeks starting in December, and then rebounded more than 50% in less than a month.