Despite the overall stabilisation, great deals remain available, especially for full black modules and stock older than six months. sun.store continues to offer attractive pricing, though such bargains are becoming harder to find as availability shrinks. The PV Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) remains a useful tool for gauging market sentiment and tracking demand shifts in Europe’s solar sector.
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Compiled from the buying plans of over 600 participants – part of a community of more than 25,500 sun.store registrants – the index offers a snapshot of the industry’s current state and likely direction. Drawing on insights from a diverse mix of installers, distributors, and other stakeholders, the PV PMI highlights shifting procurement behaviour and signals key trends shaping the solar market across Europe.
PV PMI: Confidence holds steady at 70
March’s PV PMI settled at 70, a slight decline from February’s 73, yet still signaling robust optimism among buyers. Based on responses from 627 users out of over 25,500 registered on the sun.store platform, the survey showed:
● 53% plan to increase purchases, indicating proactive procurement amid tightening stocks.
● 35% intend to maintain current order volumes, reinforcing a stable market baseline.
● 12% foresee a reduction, a consistent minority reflecting selective caution.Calculated as PMI = (P1 * 1) + (P2 * 0.5) + (P3 * 0)—where P1 is improvement, P2 no change, and P3 deterioration—this score highlights a market adapting to supply challenges while preparing for an active spring.
sun.store
Key Drivers
● Dwindling stock levels:Inventories across Europe are shrinking, particularly for modules suited to C&I and small utility projects, pushing buyers to act swiftly.
● Selective opportunitiesVery attractive deals on older stock (6-18 months) and full black modules persist, though they’re increasingly scarce.
● Spring momentumWith installation season underway, confidence remains high despite logistical hurdles.
The market in transition
Filip Kierzkowski, Head of Partnerships and Trading at sun.store, noted: “March reveals a market in transition. The PMI of 70 shows buyers are still confident, but stock shortages are posing real hurdles – particularly for installers and EPCs seeking specific module types for C&I and small utility projects. While prices hold steady, the best deals, like those on full black or older stock, are disappearing quickly. Platforms like sun.store remain a lifeline for seizing these opportunities. We’re also seeing a gradual return of interest in pre-booking stock, a trend that’s picking up as clients look to secure supply ahead of time – something our platform makes possible.”
Expert analysis: Is the market optimism justified?
Krzysztof Rejek, VP of Sales at sun.store added: “We’re seeing a bottleneck emerge as stock levels drop. Demand is there, but availability isn’t keeping pace, particularly in key segments. That said, savvy buyers can still find great value – think modules from mid-2023 to late 2024 – though they’ll need to move quickly.”
sun.store
Module prices: Stability with pockets of opportunity
March module prices held steady across most categories, though stock constraints and selective discounts shaped the landscape:
Monofacial modules:
N-type: Prices remained at €0.100/Wp (0% change), reflecting a balance between demand and tightening supply for high-efficiency options.
P-type: Prices edged down to €0.077/Wp, a 1% drop, as standard modules face softer demand amid a shift to premium alternatives.
Bifacial modules: N-type: Prices stayed at €0.094/Wp (0% change), with steady interest in bifacial technology for larger projects offset by limited stock growth.
P-type: Insufficient sample size to establish trends.
Full black modules: Prices fell to €0.093/Wp, a 3% decline, proving that good deals still exist despite broader stabilisation. Limited availability drove this discount, and platforms like sun.store remain key for securing such offers as stocks dwindle. Across Europe, installers and EPCs are struggling to source the exact module types needed, especially for C&I and small utility installations. Meanwhile, older stock from 6-18 months ago offers very attractive pricing—a silver lining for those willing to adapt.
Inverter pricing: Declines reflect weaker demand
Inverter prices continued to soften in March, driven by weaker demand in residential and small C&I segments, alongside oversupply from certain brands:
Hybrid Inverters:
<15kW: Prices dropped to €114.84/kW, a 5% decrease, as residential demand eased and competition intensified among oversupplied brands. Distributors are working to clear excess stock, pushing prices lower.
>15kW: Prices held steady at €88.48/kW (0% change), suggesting a pause in the softening trend for larger hybrid systems.
On-grid Inverters:
<15kW: Prices fell to €53.93/kW, a 3% reduction, reflecting weaker residential uptake and persistent supplier pressure to move inventory.
>15kW: Prices dipped to €24.34/kW, down 2%, as large-scale segment competition and oversupply from select brands kept downward momentum alive. Certain manufacturers remain heavily oversupplied, leaving distributors scrambling to reduce stocks - a dynamic keeping inverter prices attractive for buyers.
sun.store
Brand preferences: Jinko and Huawei take the lead
March data showcased shifting brand loyalty:
Modules: Jinko reclaimed the top spot, favored for its reliability and availability across monofacial and bifacial lines.
Inverters:
<15kW: Huawei surged ahead, dominating the residential and small C&I market with competitive offerings.
>15kW: Huawei also led, cementing its strength in larger installations.
These preferences highlight a focus on proven performance amid supply constraints.
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Outlook for the coming months
With a PMI of 70 and stock levels tightening, the European solar market is at a crossroads. Module prices remain stable, but availability issues - especially for C&I and small utility projects - could intensify. Inverters, meanwhile, benefit from softer demand and oversupply, keeping prices low.Buyers can still find great deals, like the full black discount or older stock on sun.store, but these opportunities are fading fast. As spring unfolds, the market’s ability to balance supply and demand will shape Q2’s trajectory.
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About – pv.index & The PV Purchasing Managers' Index (PV PMI)
pv.index tracks monthly trading prices for solar components, based on data from sun.store, Europe’s largest online PV trading platform with over 8.9 GW of components available. Prices are weighted by transaction power to provide a reliable market estimate.The PV PMI gauges demand sentiment in the PV industry, with scores above 50 indicating expansion. It’s calculated from a sample of 630+ sun.store buyers, offering a snapshot of purchasing intentions across Europe.
The PV PMI was calculated as: PMI = (P1 * 1) + (P2 * 0.5) + (P3 * 0), where: P1 = percentage of answers reporting an improvement, P2 = percentage of answers reporting no change, P3 = percentage of answers reporting a deterioration. Survey is based on a sample of 900+ sun.store buyers. (hcn)
