CHINA SOLAR PV NEWS UPDATE: WEEK 24

Here is our Weekly China Solar PV News Overview, which provides select stories on solar developments in the world's largest PV market that have been published on?TaiyangNews - All About Solar. If you are interested in weekly solar updates on China, please subscribe. For our global daily newsletter, check our website https://taiyangnews.info/

BUSINESS

SNEC

LONGi’s Zhenguo Li and Xixiang Xu receive awards at SNEC 2024: LONGi’s founder and president Zhenguo Li has been awarded the title of “Global Solar Energy Leader” at SNEC 2024. The company’s Chief Scientist and Vice President of the Central Research Institute Dr. Xixiang Xu received the “Global Solar Energy Scientist” award during the event. The selection panel for these awards included the Global Green Energy Council, the Global Solar Council, the Asia-Pacific New Energy Industry Association, and the Asian Photovoltaic Industry Association. It aims to recognize outstanding leaders and technological innovation pioneers who have made extraordinary contributions to the global photovoltaic industry. LONGi recently announced its plans to issue RMB 10 billion ($1.378 billion) of corporate bonds (see China Solar PV News Snippets).

Solis to showcase storage and inverter products at SNEC and Intersolar Europe 2024: PV inverter manufacturer Ginlong (Solis) Technologies has announced that it will be presenting its latest storage and inverter solutions at the SNEC and Intersolar Europe exhibitions. SNEC takes place from June 13-15, while Intersolar runs from June 19-21. Solis will showcase products for residential, commercial, industrial, and utility-scale solar applications. At SNEC, the company will be at booth 5.1H – E680, and at Intersolar, booth B3.430. Solis will introduce the S6-GR1P(0.8)K-UM, a compact inverter designed for the German market, ideal for balconies, terraces, and garages. It features built-in Bluetooth and WiFi, low-voltage starting, and a wide MPPT voltage range. For energy storage, Solis will display hybrid inverters, including the S6-EH3P(8-15)K-L, S6-EH3P(12-20)K-H, and S6-EH3P(30-50)K-H, compatible with batteries from BYD, LG Energy Solution, Dyness, and Pylon Tech. These inverters support high-power PV modules and feature advanced safety measures. For utility-scale projects, Solis will highlight the Solis-(215-255)K-EHV-5G and the S6-GU350K-EHV, designed for high efficiency and robust performance in challenging environments.

Production / Cells & Modules / HJT

Tongwei Global Innovation and R&D Center rolls out 1st HJT+THL cell: Tongwei has announced that the Tongwei Global Innovation and R&D Center has rolled out the first HJT+THL cell. The cell combines heterojunction (HJT) with its proprietary copper cell interconnection technology. The company says these cells achieve the organic combination of high efficiency and low cost of HJT cells. The center started operations on November 30, 2023. In May, Tongwei Solar announced new power records for its high-efficiency THC 210 and TNC 210 modules (see China Solar PV News Snippets).

Supply / Silicon PV Modules

GCL Si and Huayao PV win CR Power bid: Solar cell and module manufacturers GCL SI and Huayao PV have been chosen as the winning bidders for CR Power’s 2024 PV module auction. The 1.85 GW tender was split into 3 sections of 550 MW, 750 MW and 550 MW, respectively. GCL Si was the winner under sections 1 & 2, while Huayao PV was the winner under section 3 of the bid. Huayao PV quoted the lowest price of RMB 0.77/W. The winners will supply all n-type bifacial double-glass monocrystalline silicon PV modules. Last week, GCL System Integration announced that 5 of its subsidiaries received the organizational carbon verification statement certification by TüV SüD (see China Solar PV News Snippets).

Supply / Equipment

Shuangliang Eco-Energy gets orders worth RMB 533M: Shuangliang New Energy Technology (Baotou) Co., Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of PV production equipment manufacturer Shuangliang Eco-Energy, has announced that it has received an order from POWERCHINA Beijing Engineering Corporation Limited. The order, worth RMB 532.7989 million ($73.56 million), aims to procure PV modules and ancillary equipment for POWERCHINA’s Beijing Institute. Located in the southeast of Shangdu County, Ulanqab City, Inner Mongolia, the 1.5 GW project will be completed in one go.

Supply / ESS

JA Solar ships new liquid-cooled ESS from Fengxian base: Solar PV & ESS manufacturer JA Solar has announced that it has shipped its second-generation energy storage product BlueGalaxy 2.0 from the Fengxian base. The BlueGalaxy 2.0 energy storage system adopts a standard 20-foot prefabricated cabin design, integrating batteries, BMS, temperature control, fire protection, video, security, etc. It uses AI simulation and intelligent control for improved safety, efficiency, and performance. It is built with lithium iron phosphate batteries and is equipped with a self-developed BMS system to complete the overall system design and layout.

Certifications & Efficiencies

3 TüV Rheinland certificates for Astronergy’s ASTRO N series: Chint Group subsidiary Astronergy has announced that its ASTRO N series solar modules have received 3 world-first IEC TS 63126:2020 certificates from TüV Rheinland at the SNEC PV Power Expo. These certificates include the IEC TS 63126 photovoltaic module certificate, PV junction box certificate, and PV module connector certificate. The IEC TS 63126:2020 standard, formulated by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), focuses on testing PV modules and components for extended use in high-temperature environments. This new standard complements the existing IEC 61730-2 and IEC 61215 standards, enhancing the reliability and durability of PV modules in extreme conditions. These TüV Rheinland certifications confirmed that Astronergy’s TOPCon products meet stringent requirements, demonstrating high reliability and stability. These certifications validate the efficiency and stability of Astronergy’s n-type TOPCon PV modules, making them suitable for use in diverse and challenging environments, such as deserts and high-altitude areas with extreme solar radiation. Recently, Astronergy’s ASTRO N5 series modules received Yipaike AAA rating from China’s Quality Certification Center (CQC) (see China Solar PV News Snippets).

Risen Energy’s HJT Hyper-ion module hits 767.38 W power & 24.70% efficiency: Solar panel manufacturer Risen Energy’s Global Photovoltaic Research Institute has announced that its Fuxi series heterojunction (HJT) modules have achieved a maximum power of 767.38 W. The modules topped it off by also achieving a conversion efficiency of 24.70%. The company claims that this achievement has been tested and verified by a third-party testing organization. Last month, Risen Energy was announced as the leading bidder in section 3 of China Datang’s 2024-2025 PV module procurement auction (see China Solar PV News Snippets).

EGing PV gets module seismic test certification: Module manufacturer EGing PV has announced that its Star Pro+ series modules (2382 mm × 1134 mm × 30 mm) have successfully passed the 9-level earthquake resistance test. The company cooperated with Shilian Testing to carry out the testing and certification. EGing PV claims that its modules have obtained the world’s first certification for earthquake resistance testing. Last month, EGing announced its plans to invest $150 million in Tajikistan to build a 200 MW solar plant (see Chinese Manufacturer Unveils Solar Plans For Tajikistan).

JinkoSolar’s 182 mm TOPCon module hits 25.42% efficiency: Solar module manufacturer JinkoSolar has announced that its 182 mm large-size n-type TOPCon solar module has achieved a conversion efficiency of 25.42%. According to the release, this achievement has been tested by TüV SüD. The module is said to involve multiple technological and material innovations, like high-precision non-destructive patterning, high energy density hydrogen passivation, high-density encapsulation. The company sees substantial growth potential with TOPCon, with hopes of replicating this achievement in mass production. Recently, JinkoSolar announced that its n-type TOPCon perovskite tandem cell has achieved a conversion efficiency of 33.24% (see China Solar PV News Snippets).

ZQi Solar’s 210R TOPCon cell hits 741 mV voltage and 26.8% efficiency: ZQi Solar, part of Lenovo subsidiary Zhengqi Holdings, has announced that its latest 210R TOPCon high-efficiency cell was certified by the National Photovoltaic Industry Measurement and Testing Center (NPVM). The cell achieved an open circuit voltage of 741 mV. The company says further that the cell achieved the highest conversion efficiency of 26.8% in mass production.

AIKO’s ABC cells reach 27.2% average conversion efficiency: Solar cell and module manufacturer AIKO Solar has announced the average conversion efficiency of its ABC cells has reached 27.2% in mass production. Also, its ABC modules have achieved 24.2% conversion efficiency in mass production and feature at the top of our list (see Top Solar Modules Listing – May 2024). In addition, the company also stated that it has achieved a cell production yield of about 97% and a module production yield of over 99%. AIKO Solar recently signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Yuexiu Capital to cooperate in the field of household photovoltaics (see China Solar PV News Snippets).

Microquanta’s α2 perovskite module gets IEC TS 63209-1:2021 certification: Perovskite developer and manufacturer Microquanta has announced that its perovskite α2 module has secured the IEC TS 63209-1:2021 full-sequence stability certification. The company says this certificate was granted after 5 months of rigorous testing. The tests found the module’s power degradation to be within 5% both before and after the test, indicating its high efficiency and stable performance. The company claims the module can be used in a variety of complex application scenarios.

Company Performance

Hiking PV achieves world’s 1st perovskite/TOPCon full-size 2T cell-level stacked cell application: Hiking PV has announced that it has completed the development of tandem cells from small size (1 cm2) to full size. The company also announced that it has achieved the world’s 1st application of cell-level (2T) full-size perovskite/TOPCon tandem technology, which is also compatible with HJT tandem cells.

Astronergy’s PV modules get AAA rating from Yipaike: According to the recent Yipaike photovoltaic (PV) module quality evaluation results released by China’s Quality Certification Center (CQC), Astronergy’s ASTRO N5 series modules have received AAA rating. The company claims that it is one of the only 2 PV module manufacturers to receive Yipaike’s AAA rating. The company says that the modules passed rigorous tests including salt spray test, damp heat test, dynamic mechanical load test, and PID test. Sinopec launched Yipaike as an e-commerce platform for industrial products in 2015. It not only serves Sinopec’s internal material procurement and supply, but also provides external procurement, sales, finance and comprehensive services. Yipaike’s product quality evaluation is verified and released by the third-party CQC. The Chint Group subsidiary recently announced that it has started installing equipment at its new 5 GW TOPCon solar module manufacturing base in Fuyang District (see China Solar PV News Snippets).

Trina Solar named Top Performer by Kiwa PVEL: Trina Solar has announced that it has been recognized as a “Top Performer” in the 2024 PV Module Reliability Scorecard by Kiwa PV Evolution Labs (Kiwa PVEL). The company says that this is the 10th consecutive year that it has achieved this feat. Kiwa PVEL’s annual scorecard provides extensive data to help buyers identify high-performing manufacturers. Trina Solar’s Vertex N modules, particularly the Vertex N 720W series, excelled in reliability tests, placing it among the top 2 in the industry. Trina Solar’s p-type and n-type modules performed exceptionally well in the Production Qualification Program (PQP), highlighting their quality and reliability. The Vertex N 720W module, featuring TOPCon Advanced and 210 mm technology, excelled in all 7 tests, showcasing high power output, efficiency, and bifaciality for utility-scale projects. In its recently 2023 sustainability report, Trina Solar claimed that it has reduced cell and module GHG emissions by 43% and 61% from 2020 baselines (see China Solar PV News Snippets).

Akcome Technology shares face delisting: Solar cell and module manufacturer Akcome Technology has announced that its shares might be delisted by the Shenzhen Stock Exchange. According to regulations, a company’s stock risks delisting if its closing price is below RMB 1 for 20 consecutive trading days. Akcome stock has traded below RMB 1 for 13 consecutive trading days as of June 6, 2024.

Reports

2024 Global Top 100 Photovoltaic Brands List released: The CPC2024 9th Century Photovoltaic Conference and PVBL2024 Global Photovoltaic Brand Top 100 List and “PVBL2024 Global Photovoltaic Brand Influence Research and Analysis Report” have been released in Shanghai on June 11. Selected jointly by Xinneng Think Tank, Century New Energy Network and Photovoltaic Brand Laboratory, the list aims to commend those companies that have made outstanding achievements in photovoltaic technology innovation, brand influence and market position. According to the results of the list, the total revenue of the 2024 global top 100 brand companies in 2023 exceeded RMB 1.74 trillion ($239.96 billion), a year-on-year increase of 6.09%; net profit exceeded RMB 155.8 billion ($21.48 billion), a year-on-year decrease of 17.1%; and R&D investment was RMB 55.4 billion ($7.64 billion). Chinese PV companies continue to lead, with US and European companies also contributing strongly to the development of the industry.