Cheaper polysilicon production means cheaper solar panels. Making silicon pure enough for the higher efficiency solar panels is the main driver for the price difference between poly (standard) and mono (high) solar panels. China is strategically locating high electricity use industry close to cheap electricity. Right now, it is we – the solar industry and the planet – benefitting from this cheaper electricity.
Monocrystalline panels will probably eventually take over from poly.
The Chinese giant wants to increase polysilicon production by 70,000 MT in two phases after construction work began at the start of this month China-based polysilicon manufacturer Daqo has announced it has received approval from the Chinese government for its plans to expand capacity by 70,000MT at its manufacturing facility in Shihezi, in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. Daqo says the agreement with the government of the Xinjiang Uygur region also includes a reduction of the energy tariff for the manufacturing facility – from RMB0.29/kWh ($0.045/kWh) to RMB0.24/kWh – when Phase 3B completes, and to RMB0.20/kWh when Phase 4A completes in the first quarter of 2020.
Source: Daqo gets government approval and cheaper power for poly production expansion