The photovoltaic industry is intensifying its efforts to combat over-competition, with innovation emerging as a key strategy for breaking through challenges. During the 19th China International Forum on New Energy and Exhibition (NEX 2025), held from September 17 to September 18, leaders from several leading companies emphasized that addressing the issue of over-competition in the development of new energy relies on coordinated efforts from both supply and demand sides. They highlighted the importance of combining technological innovation, product innovation, and scenario innovation to achieve breakthroughs and foster collaborative success.
The global energy landscape is undergoing significant transformation, with climate change response and energy transition becoming a global consensus. In this context, photovoltaic technology, due to its maturity, rapid cost reduction, and vast commercialization prospects, is accelerating its shift from a supplementary energy source to a primary energy source.
According to the latest report from the International Energy Agency, global investment in clean energy is expected to reach $3.3 trillion by 2025, with investments in utility-scale solar and distributed photovoltaic systems accounting for approximately $450 billion, making it the largest single energy technology by investment size worldwide.
China’s photovoltaic industry has developed a complete industrial chain covering raw materials, equipment, manufacturing, and application over many years, consistently maintaining a leading global market share. As of the end of July 2025, the country’s installed solar power generation capacity reached 1.11 billion kilowatts, marking a 50.8% year-on-year increase. However, the rapid expansion of the industry has also led to over-competition issues, with many domestic photovoltaic manufacturing companies experiencing losses in the first half of this year.
Since July, as the industry’s efforts to counter over-competition have intensified, there has been a growing consensus on the necessity and urgency of these measures. Leading companies have begun to cut production, and the effects are becoming increasingly evident. The price of silicon materials, a benchmark for the photovoltaic industry, saw a rebound following July, with prices in the silicon futures market rising quickly, thereby strengthening the spot market. The China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association’s Silicon Division reported that by the end of July, the spot prices for polysilicon and industrial silicon rose to 47,100 yuan per ton and 9,378 yuan per ton, respectively, reflecting increases of 36.9% and 7.26%.
As of September 17, the latest data indicates that the trading price range for N-type polysilicon was between 51,000 yuan and 55,000 yuan per ton, with an average trading price of 53,200 yuan, representing a week-on-week increase of 8.57%. Meanwhile, the trading price range for N-type granular silicon was between 49,000 yuan and 50,000 yuan per ton, with an average price of 49,500 yuan, a week-on-week increase of 3.13%.
Industry experts suggest that while the initial results of the anti-over-competition efforts are promising, continued collaboration is essential to ensure that the photovoltaic industry returns to a healthy and sustainable development cycle. Zhong Baoshan, President of the China Photovoltaic Industry Association and Chairman of Longi Green Energy Technology Co., Ltd., stated that the key to resolving the over-competition issue lies in coordinated efforts from both the supply and demand sides. On the supply side, tailored policies should promote innovation in critical areas, while on the demand side, there is a need to continuously explore new application scenarios and build new value systems.
He noted that over the past decade, the photovoltaic industry has achieved a cost reduction of over 90% through technological advancements, transitioning from reliance on subsidies to being driven by the market. This has made it an essential tool for addressing the triple challenges of energy security, equity, and sustainability.
Currently, photovoltaic technology is entering a new phase of multi-route advancement, and continuous boundary-breaking is necessary to maintain a competitive edge in the global energy landscape. Xu Xiaohua, Chairman of Huasheng New Energy, expressed concern that the rapid development and intense competition within the domestic new energy sector necessitate adjustments in development models and macro-control to optimize production capacity, ensuring the survival of enterprises.
Wang Qisui, Executive President of Guoxuan High-tech, echoed that in the face of fierce competition, it is crucial to integrate technological innovation, product innovation, and scenario innovation for breakthroughs and to foster collaboration for future success. Yu Zhuyun, Chairman of Zhonghuan Holdings, pointed out that if competition is intense on the manufacturing side, then meticulous management on the application side is necessary to secure a share of the market.
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