Beijing, May 30, 2025 — The photovoltaic (PV) industry is undergoing a significant shift in its cost structure. According to Sinolink Securities at the recent China Photovoltaic Industry Association (CPIA) annual conference, aluminum frames accounted for 14% of total solar module production costs by November 2024, surpassing packaging glass (13.4%) and silver paste (11.6%) to become the largest single material cost. Polysilicon, once the dominant cost driver, has dropped to 9.9%, marking a sharp departure from the silicon-led cost model of previous years.

This shift signals a transition from a silicon-driven cost focus to one dominated by auxiliary materials, indicating that cost-reduction strategies must now extend to frames, glass, conductive metals, and other secondary materials.

Key Drivers Behind the Cost Structure Shift:

High Aluminum Prices: Although processing fees have declined, rising raw material prices have sharply increased overall frame costs.

Glass Supply Constraints: Strict Chinese policies on new PV glass capacity have tightened supply, keeping prices elevated and likely to increase further.

Silver Pricing and Technology Trends: Silver paste remains a major cost factor, especially in advanced cell types like TOPCon and HJT, where metal costs can represent up to 42% of non-silicon costs. Copper paste offers potential but remains commercially unviable due to technical and equipment challenges.

Three Major Trends Benefiting the PV Supply Chain:

1.Sustained Global Growth in Solar Installations
Sinolink forecasts global new PV installations to reach 650–700 GWp in 2025, maintaining a 10%–15% annual growth rate. This surge is driven by energy transition policies, AI-related energy demands, and data center expansions.

2.Rapid Progress in Localization and Material Substitution
Innovations in aluminum alloys, composite frames, silver-free pastes, and 0BB (zero busbar) technologies are creating new opportunities for upstream and equipment-side companies.

3.Rising Value of BOS and O&M Segments
As module profits compress, system efficiency, cleaning frequency, and long-term reliability have become key concerns. Intelligent cleaning equipment and low-O&M-cost solutions are emerging as new competitive advantages.

Future Opportunities and Challenges:

As a leading supplier of solar panel cleaning systems and equipment, Beijing Multifit Electrical Technology Co., Ltd. is actively responding to the evolving cost landscape. The company has optimized its products through lightweight designs, compatibility with various frame structures, improved brush materials, and enhanced spray systems, ensuring better adaptation to new module technologies. It is also assessing customer needs across high-temperature and dusty environments to deliver more efficient and cost-effective cleaning solutions.

The company stated that it will continue to drive development through technological innovation, aiming to deliver higher cost-performance intelligent O&M solutions to support the global PV market’s large-scale growth and structural upgrade. It will further deepen its efforts in advancing technologies across its solar system and solar panel cleaning product lines, while remaining committed to continuously enhancing the customer experience.