Solar module prices out of China have fallen 68% in three years. This guide unpacks where prices sit today by technology, what drives the next quarter's moves, and how to lock in the best rate for your project's delivery window.
TOPCon 620W CIF EU
$0.117/W
May 2026
HJT bifacial 630W CIF EU
$0.124/W
May 2026
PERC 555W CIF EU
$0.098/W
clearance stock
12-month price change
-14%
TOPCon
Price bands by technology (May 2026)
| Tech | Wattage | FOB Shanghai | CIF Rotterdam | CIF LA | CIF Santos |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PERC mono | 555W | $0.088 | $0.098 | $0.106 | $0.112 |
| TOPCon | 585W | $0.104 | $0.113 | $0.121 | $0.126 |
| TOPCon bifacial | 620W | $0.108 | $0.117 | $0.125 | $0.130 |
| HJT bifacial | 630W | $0.115 | $0.124 | $0.132 | $0.137 |
| BC (HPBC/IBC) | 610W | $0.123 | $0.132 | $0.140 | $0.145 |
Figure
Module price index by technology ($/W)
Spot CIF tier-1 averages
What's driving prices in 2026
- Polysilicon at $6.5/kg — half of 2023 average, near cash cost for tier-2 producers
- Wafer oversupply: 950 GW capacity vs ~550 GW global demand
- TOPCon cell efficiency mainstream at 25.2%, keeping wattage upgrade cycle alive
- Ocean freight normalised after Red Sea reroutings priced in
- US Section 201 + UFLPA + AD/CVD stack keeps US landed cost 32–48% above EU
How to time your order
Chinese factory utilisation drops 8–12% in July–August (heat) and January–February (Spring Festival), and prices soften 3–5% in those windows. Q4 is historically firmer as EU buyers stock up before EOY. If your project can accept 60-day lead time, place PO in early July for October delivery to catch the summer trough.
Tier-1 suppliers will hold pricing 90 days against a 10% non-refundable deposit — useful for tendered projects with 3–6 month award timelines.
Frequently asked questions
QAre quoted prices ex-VAT?
Chinese export invoices are zero-VAT (13% export rebate applied by the manufacturer). All CIF prices here are the actual USD wire amount, no VAT added.
QHow much does a 40'HQ container cost delivered?
620W TOPCon container of ~465 kW at $0.117/W CIF Rotterdam totals ~$54,400 delivered, before local duty and VAT.
QDo prices include the frame and junction box?
Yes — CIF price is for the finished, palletised module with frame, junction box, ~1.2m cables and MC4 connectors.
Post your specification on Chinese.Solar and our AI matches you to 3–5 verified tier-1 manufacturers in under 60 seconds — with live CIF pricing, factory audits and export track records.