Year-by-year annual average price for silicon in USD/kg, sourced from U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025. Silicon metal (metallurgical grade, 98.5% Si); 2021 China energy crisis caused spike.
Silicon is the foundation of the digital economy. High-purity semiconductor-grade silicon is the critical material enabling all modern computing, communications, and solar energy. Demand is driven primarily by Semiconductor chips and microprocessors, Crystalline silicon solar panels, Silicones for industrial and consumer products. Supply is concentrated in China, Russia, Norway, so output disruptions or trade-policy shifts in those countries are the main long-run drivers of Silicon prices.
Silicon prices fell -20.0% from 2023's $1.50 per USD/kg to $1.20 per USD/kg in 2024.
Silicon prices fell -50.0% from 2022's $3.00 per USD/kg to $1.50 per USD/kg in 2023.
Silicon prices fell -14.3% from 2021's $3.50 per USD/kg to $3.00 per USD/kg in 2022.
Silicon prices rose +218.2% from 2020's $1.10 per USD/kg to $3.50 per USD/kg in 2021. That made 2021 the highest annual average in the recorded series.
Silicon prices fell -15.4% from 2019's $1.30 per USD/kg to $1.10 per USD/kg in 2020. That was the lowest 2020 reading in 14 years.
Movement summaries above are calculated directly from the annual averages shown in the table. Critical Minerals HQ does not attribute price moves to specific events except where backed by sourced reporting.
| Year | Average Price (USD/kg) | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1.20 | -20.0% |
| 2023 | $1.50 | -50.0% |
| 2022 | $3.00 | -14.3% |
| 2021 | $3.50 | +218.2% |
| 2020 | $1.10 | -15.4% |
| 2019 | $1.30 | -7.1% |
| 2018 | $1.40 | +7.7% |
| 2017 | $1.30 | +8.3% |
| 2016 | $1.20 | -7.7% |
| 2015 | $1.30 | -7.1% |
| 2014 | $1.40 | +0.0% |
| 2013 | $1.40 | -6.7% |
| 2012 | $1.50 | -16.7% |
| 2011 | $1.80 | +28.6% |
| 2010 | $1.40 | +16.7% |
| 2009 | $1.20 | -40.0% |
| 2008 | $2.00 | +33.3% |
| 2007 | $1.50 | +15.4% |
| 2006 | $1.30 | +18.2% |
| 2005 | $1.10 | +10.0% |
| 2004 | $1.00 | +11.1% |
| 2003 | $0.90 | +12.5% |
| 2002 | $0.80 | +0.0% |
| 2001 | $0.80 | +0.0% |
| 2000 | $0.80 | — |
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025. Silicon metal (metallurgical grade, 98.5% Si); 2021 China energy crisis caused spike
The most recent annual average we track is $1.20 per USD/kg for 2024. Live spot prices are shown on the Silicon live-price page.
down -20.0% — from $1.50 per USD/kg in 2023 to $1.20 per USD/kg in 2024.
down -7.7% — from $1.30 per USD/kg in 2019 to $1.20 per USD/kg in 2024.
down -14.3% — from $1.40 per USD/kg in 2014 to $1.20 per USD/kg in 2024.
Silicon is the foundation of the digital economy. High-purity semiconductor-grade silicon is the critical material enabling all modern computing, communications, and solar energy. Demand is driven primarily by Semiconductor chips and microprocessors, Crystalline silicon solar panels, Silicones for industrial and consumer products. Supply is concentrated in China, Russia, Norway, so output disruptions or trade-policy shifts in those countries are the main long-run drivers of Silicon prices.
The highest annual average silicon price in our recorded series was $3.50 per USD/kg in 2021.
U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025. Silicon metal (metallurgical grade, 98.5% Si); 2021 China energy crisis caused spike