SNEC PV+ 2026 Post-Event Report: PV industry shifts from scale competition to value reshaping

As one of the world’s most representative PV industry events, the 19th SNEC International Photovoltaic Power Generation and Smart Energy Conference & Exhibition (SNEC PV+ Expo) was held in Shanghai. Compared with previous events, this year’s expo reflected a clear shift in industry sentiment. Amid slowing global demand growth, supply chain oversupply, and continued pressure on corporate profitability, market attention has moved beyond PV modules alone toward PV-plus-storage integration, AI data centers (AIDC), and next-generation perovskite technology. Trade barriers, changes in main and auxiliary material supply chains, high-efficiency technologies, and differentiated products have also remained key industry priorities.
 

Expo highlights: PV-plus-storage integration, AIDC, trade barriers, and space-based PV emerge as key topics

• PV-plus-storage integration reached a historic inflection point at SNEC 2026. For the first time, energy storage occupied more exhibition halls than PV, with six halls dedicated to storage compared with four for PV, underscoring storage’s shift from a supporting segment to a central industry focus. Notably, PV module manufacturers are also undergoing a collective transformation. Rather than simply selling modules alone, they are leveraging global channels, manufacturing scale, and brand credibility to expand into full-scenario energy service providers integrating modules, storage, and system solutions.

• AIDC drives incremental demand: According to InfoLink’s conservative estimate, data centers are expected to generate nearly 85-100 GW of additional PV installation demand between 2025 and 2030.

• Trade barriers intensify: India’s ALMM for cells took effect on June 1, slowing local project execution and potentially reducing India’s 2026 installation forecast to 35-40 GWac. In the U.S., Section 232 tariffs could be implemented as early as late June or in 3Q26.

• Space-based PV emerges as a new frontier: As multiple alliances take shape, p-HJT and perovskite technologies are gaining attention as key pathways for next-generation space-based PV, supported by their lightweight design and radiation resistance.
   

China’s demand policy: Incremental demand contracts in 2026, while long-term demand remains positive under the 15th Five-Year Plan

• From January to April 2026, China added 50.91 GW of PV installations, down 51.48% YoY from 104.9 GW. April additions reached 9.52 GW, marking a 78.95% YoY decline.

• China’s 2026 PV capacity additions forecast has been revised downward, but the long-term demand outlook remains positive. The 15th Five-Year Plan outline released in March calls for accelerating the development of a clean, low-carbon, secure, and efficient new energy system. Key initiatives, including clean energy bases in the “Three-North” region, integrated hydro-wind-solar projects in Southwest China, distributed energy development, zero-carbon industrial parks, and green computing infrastructure, are expected to support sustained PV demand over the long term.

• As the first year of the 15th Five-Year Plan, 2026 is expected to see ground-mounted PV projects provide partial support for China’s installation demand as projects gradually advance. However, following the implementation of Document No. 136 and the rollout of competitive bidding in 2025, market sentiment remains cautious, with power tariffs and project return calculations directly affecting demand. On grid absorption, the 15th Five-Year Plan outline emphasizes coordination between local consumption and outbound transmission, while reaffirming the need to expand power transmission channels. Still, absorption constraints will take time to ease.
   

Supply chain dynamics during SNEC: Persistent supply-demand mismatch across main and auxiliary materials keeps market conditions weak

• Polysilicon: Procurement has slowed around SNEC, with buyers and sellers largely postponing new order negotiations until after the expo. Prices for recycled mono-grade polysilicon remained stable at RMB 34–35/kg, while mixed-lot polysilicon stood at around RMB 32–33/kg and granular polysilicon at RMB 33–35/kg.

• Wafers: From May through SNEC, wafer prices remained largely stable at RMB 0.9/piece for 183N, RMB 1.0/piece for 210RN, and RMB 1.2/piece for 210N. For some manufacturers, prices have pressed right up against the cash-cost line.

• Cell: During SNEC week, average transaction prices stood at RMB 0.315–0.325/W for 183N, RMB 0.32–0.33/W for 210RN, and RMB 0.330–0.335/W for 210N.

• Modules: Prices continued to soften but are unlikely to fall below the cost line. New contracts for ground-mounted TOPCon modules in China were signed at RMB 0.71–0.75/W, while FOB prices outside China stood at USD 0.115–0.125/W. TOPCon 3.0 and BC products continued to command premiums on higher power output and technical differentiation. As product requirements diverge across regional markets, module prices can no longer be captured by a single benchmark. To reflect this shift, InfoLink launched an upgraded version of its weekly price update service earlier this year, enabling members to access major global market price indices through its online platform for timely price and product insights.
  
  

• BOM: Glass remains under pressure from supply-demand imbalance and elevated inventories, prompting planned production cuts among manufacturers. Encapsulant resin prices have started to decline. Greater volatility in silver, copper, and aluminum prices is accelerating the shift toward silver reduction and silver-free technologies. Interest in composite and steel frames is rising. Junction box suppliers are also introducing products for quarter-cut modules. Overall, BOM suppliers are moving toward more scenario-specific solutions while accelerating overseas expansion.
   

2026 SNEC exhibits: High-efficiency technologies accelerate iteration; 700+ W modules continue to scale; perovskite leads the next-generation technology roadmap

• At SNEC this year, InfoLink collected data on 108 module products from 18 leading manufacturers. Of these manufacturers, 16 showcased TOPCon modules, 3 displayed HJT modules, and 15 presented xBC modules. By wafer format, modules based on 210R and larger wafers accounted for over 90% of the exhibits.
  
   

Perovskite leads the next-generation technology development

• Perovskite is at the forefront of next-generation technology development, with perovskite/c-Si tandem cells offering greater efficiency potential. InfoLink recorded 18 perovskite products from 12 manufacturers at SNEC, excluding some small-area perovskite single-junction and tandem exhibits.

• Space-based PV has recently has recently become a hot topic, and its requirements for lightweight design, radiation resistance, tolerance to extreme temperature swings, and high efficiency happen to align with perovskite’s core advantages. Given the aerospace market’s small-batch, high-value nature and greater cost tolerance, it could become an early high-value application for perovskite before large-scale terrestrial commercialization matures.

• As more companies showcased their latest progress in perovskite tandem space solar cells at this year’s SNEC, space applications are emerging as an important indicator of perovskite commercialization. Against this backdrop, InfoLink launched Perovskite Technology and Market Insights in May, providing a systematic review of technology roadmaps, commercialization progress, corporate strategies, and mass production challenges. The report also assesses perovskite’s development potential and commercialization timeline across ground-mounted PV, building-integrated PV, and space-based energy applications.
   

For more in-depth analysis, please refer to the SNEC PV+ 2026 Post-Event Report — PV.

The Lite version will be officially available on InfoLink’s website on June 11, offering a concise overview of expo highlights, major industry trends, and market takeaways. Stay tuned to InfoLink’s website to download the Lite version for free.