Solar PV module prices across major technology classes remain historically low amid persistent oversupply and sideways market movement, according to pvXchange
China’s proposed tax change is prompting Chinese manufacturers to shift stock overseas, adding further downward pressure on prices
pvXchange warns that falling prices and high activity are fueling more sophisticated fraud targeting customers, installers, and wholesalers
Solar module prices in both wholesale markets and supply contracts remain at historic lows as supply continues to outpace demand. Prices across all major technology classes are drifting sideways with no clear long-term trend, despite the sharp decline in market prices, according to the latest price commentary from European trading platform pvXchange.
China’s proposed tax adjustment for newly produced modules, expected in December 2025, could lift prices by about 9% (see Solar PV Module Prices Projected To Rise 9% In Q4 2025. Apprehensive of this potential increase, many Chinese manufacturers are accelerating shipments to temporary storage facilities outside the country, further pressuring prices.
As per pvXchange, as of November 12, 2025, there was a 4.3% decline in high-efficiency (above 23%) solar module prices since October 2025, and a larger 12% drop since January this year, sitting at €0.110/W compared to €0.115/W as of October 12, 2025 (see Solar Module Prices React To Changing Demand, Says pvXchange).
Full-black variants with black frames and backsheets or prints cost €0.125/W, representing a similar 3.8% decline since October 2025 and January 2025.
Mainstream modules with up to 23% efficiency saw their prices rise by 5% since October 2025, with no change since the beginning of 2025 at €0.105/W. On the other hand, low-cost modules – stock lasts, factory seconds, insolvency goods, already used or low-output modules and products with limited or no warranty – cost €0.050/W. This was a decline of 9.1% since October and 23.1% since January 2025.
Martin Schachinger, Managing Director and Founder of pvXchange, points out that this ‘low-price, high-activity’ environment is what gets fraudsters into action as fraudulent installation companies are apparently offering cheap offers and fantastic returns to end customers and investors.
“Unfortunately, this kind of scam has become increasingly common over the last few years, as fraudsters ruthlessly exploit the widespread interest in photovoltaics and the fact that system prices have fallen so low that bank loans are no longer necessary. It’s all too easy to go for supposedly inexpensive suppliers who turn out to be fraudsters,” explains Schachinger.
Building fake, real-looking websites, the scammers lure customers, take advance, then either don’t deliver the panels or leave the installation halfway. Some such scammers also take advantage of wholesalers, placing orders for truckloads of PV components with different suppliers. With warehouses brimming with supply and under pressure to sell, wholesalers may also fall prey to such schemes. Such fraudulent companies then file for bankruptcy protection and vanish.
Schachinger adds that installers and dealers are also vulnerable to a con job by so-called law firms, pretending to buy solar components from a bankrupt company while posing as an insolvency administrator. He recommends that stakeholders watch out for such scams.