(Yicai) Aug. 20 -- Chinese regulators, including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, have arranged another round of meetings with photovoltaic companies, aimed at reversing persistent unhealthy competition that has eroded profits. The exact measures could be finalized within days, insiders told Yicai exclusively.

Participants at a photovoltaic industry symposium yesterday told Yicai that while no implementation details were discussed, meetings scheduled for today and tomorrow are expected to address specific measures to curb cutthroat practices across the production chain, including batteries, modules, silicon wafers, and polycrystalline silicon.

The initiative is the latest government effort to rein in years of fierce competition that has pushed down product prices and squeezed manufacturers’ margins. Early last month, MIIT convened the heads of 14 firms and PV industry associations, including Tongwei and Longi Green Energy Technology, urging them to restrict polycrystalline silicon output and avoid selling products below cost.

MIIT has kept details of the latest meeting under wraps. In a press release yesterday, the ministry did not disclose the number of participants and refrained from publishing photos of attendees, unlike at the previous meeting.

One insider said participating firms signed non-disclosure agreements due to the high level of confidentiality, with official announcements to follow once decisions are finalized.

An insider close to the talks told Yicai that last week, senior executives at several polycrystalline silicon producers reached a preliminary agreement to cut output and control operations and sales volumes, though implementation remains pending.

Another industry insider said some companies have already drawn up relatively clear plans for limiting production and sales this year, but the effectiveness of execution is still uncertain.

Key themes discussed at the latest meeting included strengthening regulations, scrutinizing new investment projects, and phasing out outdated capacity. Firms also discussed measures to curb disorderly price competition, such as stricter price monitoring and cracking down on below-cost sales and misleading marketing. In addition, participants emphasized standardizing product quality to prevent sales of low-efficiency equipment, protecting intellectual property rights, and enhancing self-regulation within the PV industry.

Editor: Emmi Laine