BGH Eco Smart has analysed that the solar market is undergoing a consolidation phase, characterised by pricing more closely aligned with industrial fundamentals and long-term corporate decision-making.
The global solar PV market has reached a turning point. What was anticipated at the end of last year is now a reality: the era of artificially low solar panel prices has come to an end. The Chinese government’s decision to eliminate VAT export rebates and reduce excess manufacturing capacity is already impacting international price lists.
However, for the Argentine market, this scenario presents a positive paradox: it has never been more strategic to invest in distributed generation than in this first quarter of 2026. In a context where energy security and long-term cost savings are top priorities, short-term volatility in specific equipment pricing becomes secondary to the sharp rise in local electricity tariffs.
1. Towards a market of real prices
The price correction — around 20% in Q1 2026 — reflects a necessary stabilisation of the global industry. For years, oversupply and cross-subsidies kept costs below sustainable levels, leading to factory closures and unfair competition that affected the broader renewable energy supply chain.
“What we are witnessing is not a crisis, but a return to cost rationality. We are leaving behind a period of subsidised pricing and entering a market defined by real values, technological quality and long-term manufacturer sustainability,” explained Diego Simondi, Chief Executive Officer of BGH Eco Smart.
2. Argentina’s opportunity: energy tariffs vs solar investment
Although solar project CAPEX has increased due to international costs of silicon and silver, the equation in Argentina remains highly favourable. This adjustment effectively brings CAPEX levels back to 2023–2024 ranges. Meanwhile, the normalisation of electricity tariffs and the gradual removal of domestic subsidies have increased industrial operating costs at a faster pace than photovoltaic technology.
“Today, energy represents 30% or more of operating costs in many local industries. Even if solar panels rise in price due to exogenous factors such as Chinese fiscal policy, the investment payback remains attractive, because the cost of not generating your own energy is significantly higher,” said Simondi.
It is important to note that the 20% increase in module prices does not translate linearly into total project costs. Its impact varies depending on project scale:
Residential: Modules represent between 25% and 30% of total system costs. As a result, the final budget impact is limited to approximately 5% to 6%, given the higher relative weight of inverters, engineering and labour.
Commercial: With modules accounting for between 35% and 45% of total costs, the final installation price adjustment is around 8%.
Industrial: In large-scale projects, where modules represent between 50% and 60% of total CAPEX, the impact of the increase may reach up to 11%.
This context reinforces BGH Eco Smart’s strategy, which focuses not only on equipment supply but also on integrated business models. Whether through turnkey engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) solutions or energy sales schemes structured under Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) — long-term electricity supply contracts — the company absorbs market complexity to provide certainty for large energy users.
3. Quality and storage: the new standard
The global adjustment also acts as a quality filter. The end of subsidies at origin is displacing inefficient manufacturers, leaving technological leaders in the market and ensuring that investments made this year are backed by stronger technical guarantees.
In addition, energy storage is playing an increasingly strategic role. With the reduction of export incentives for lithium batteries scheduled to begin in April and gradually extend through to 2027, the first quarter of 2026 represents a window of opportunity to integrate Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) before further supply chain adjustments take effect.
“We are seeing growing interest in hybrid solar-plus-storage solutions. It is no longer just about reducing electricity bills, but about ensuring grid quality and firm capacity in response to system instability. Companies making decisions today can secure cutting-edge technology before the storage price curve follows the upward trend of modules,” added the BGH Eco Smart executive.
4. Planning: the tool against speculation
Despite headlines, Argentina’s distributed generation market continues to advance. Key sectors such as agribusiness and manufacturing in Córdoba, Santa Fe and Buenos Aires remain at the forefront of demand.
BGH Eco Smart’s recommendation to the corporate sector is clear: planning is the best defence. With the complete elimination of Chinese export rebates expected by the end of this quarter, decisions taken now allow companies to mitigate impacts, secure stock, and fix costs ahead of the next potential price adjustment.
Conclusion: Solar technology has reached a level of maturity such that, even with these adjustments, it remains the most competitive and fastest-to-deploy source of new power generation. At BGH Eco Smart, the focus remains on flexible models that enable companies to turn this global challenge into a local competitive advantage.
