CHINA SOLAR PV NEWS UPDATE: WEEK 36
Our Weekly China Solar PV News Overview provides select stories on solar developments in the world's largest PV market, which 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/
MARKETS
Solar Cell Production
China’s solar cell production will exceed 450 GW in 2024: China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the Ministry of Finance jointly issued the Action Plan for the Steady Growth of the Electronic Information Manufacturing Industry from 2023 to 2024. The document forecasts that by 2024, 5G mobile phone shipments in the Chinese mobile phone market will account for more than 85%, the market share of 75-inch and above color TVs will exceed 25%, and solar cell production capacity will exceed 450 GW. For the January to July 2023 period, China’s solar cell output has increased more than 56% YoY to 276.6 GW. The total export value of photovoltaic products, including silicon wafers, cells, modules, etc., has reached $32.47 billion. For the same period, the newly installed PV capacity totaled 97.2 GW, an increase of 158% YoY.
Energy Consumption
The national utilization rate of PV power generation remained constant vs. June at 98.7%, while that of wind increased to 98.4% from 97.7%, according to the latest figures released by the China New Energy Consumption Monitoring and Early Warning Center (see China Solar PV News Snippets). For the first 7 months of the year, the national utilization rate of PV power generation stands at 98.3%, with wind power utilization at 97.0%. 13 provinces, including Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Fujian, Jiangxi, Hunan, Chongqing, Sichuan, Guangxi, and Hainan achieved 100% photovoltaic utilization for the month of July.
BUSINESS
Production / Cells & Modules
DMEGC Solar rolls off 1st module from Lianyungang facility: Vertically integrated solar module manufacturer DMEGC Solar announced the rollout of its 1st module from its Lianyungang 5 GW high-efficiency module fab. With this facility, the company’s module production capacity now stands at 12 GW. Lianyungang is the 5th intelligent manufacturing base built by DMEGC Solar, and its second such facility in Jiangsu.
Production / Cells & Modules / HJT
SPIC New Energy rolls off 1st module from 5 GW HJT facility: SPIC New Energy announced that the 1st module from its 5 GW high-efficiency heterojunction cell and module facility has rolled off the assembly line. While the current highest power achieved by the module is 700 W, the company expects mass-production average power to exceed 720 W before the end of the year. The company also announced that it has won orders to supply 140 MW of PV cells.
1st module rolls off Huasun’s Xuancheng base Phase III:?Solar panel manufacturer Huasun announced that the 1st high-efficiency heterojunction (HJT) module has rolled off its Xuancheng Phase III assembly line. The 8 GW facility will manufacture 210, 182 and 182R HJT modules. Claiming the fab to be the largest single module workshop in the field of photovoltaic heterojunction, the company said that its mass-produced module has reached a power output 720 W. Last week, Huasun Energy’s Director Pre-Sales Technical and Product Support Tracy Hong spoke about HJT cell technology’s benefits in large-scale solar applications at the TaiyangNews 1st Virtual Conference on Solar Power Plant Developments.
Production / Cells & Modules / CdTe thin-film PV module
Zhongmao Lvneng starts construction on CdTe thin-film PV module R&D and manufacturing base: Zhongmao Lvneng announced that its cadmium telluride thin-film photovoltaic module R&D and manufacturing base has started construction in Qinhan New City, Xixian New Area. Being built at a total cost of RMB 1.1 billion ($150.6 million), the R&D and manufacturing base mainly builds 100 MW CdTe thin-film PV cells and modules, and includes manufacturing workshops, scientific research offices, supporting centers, etc. Once completed, the facility is expected to generate RMB 2.8 billion ($383.3 million) in the coming 5 years.
Supply / HJT
Risen Energy receives 200 MW order for Hyper-ion modules: Leading provider of integrated PV smart energy solutions Risen Energy announced the signing of a supply framework agreement with a well-known European PV power plant developer and general contractor. Risen Energy will provide the latter 200 MW of heterojunction Hyper-ion modules starting this month for the construction of high-efficiency PV projects in Spain. The company has shipped the 1st batch of 53 MW as of today, with the rest to follow soon. Risen Energy recently reported a 40% YoY rise in its operating income for H1 2023 (see China’s Risen Energy Scores Well In H1/2023).
Cando Solar exports megawatt-level busbar-free HJT modules: HJT PV module manufacturer Cando Solar has announced that it has successfully manufactured the 1st batch of its MW-level HJT high-efficiency modules and shipped it overseas. Cando Solar’s busbar-free technology achieves shorter transmission distance, less shading and low-temperature silver paste consumption, along with improved anti-cracking ability and power generation.
Supply / TOPCon
Trina Solar’s Vertex N 700W+ series modules for 560 MW desert power station: Solar PV manufacturer Trina Solar has announced that it is supplying its Vertex N 700W+ series modules to the 560 MW PV power station in Xinghai County, Qinghai province. Trina Solar is supplying 488 MW of the total 560 MW capacity. Expected to be commissioned by the end of this year, the power station’s average annual energy yield is expected to be about 1.077 billion kWh. The plant, located in the new energy base of Hekatan in the northeast of Xinghai County, at an average altitude of 3,200 m, is developed and owned by Datang Qinghai New Energy Development Co. Ltd. Given its location in the desert plateau, the plant is subject to drastic temperature differences and extreme weather, including high winds and hailstorms, posing challenges to module reliability and energy yield. The Vertex N 700W+ series modules, based on the advanced 210 mm technology and n-type i-TOPCon Advanced technology, are claimed to be the right fit for this environment. The company cites the example of its deployment in the 3.2 MW ground power station in Gonghe County, Qinghai province. Trina claims that the Vertex N 700W+ series modules can save RMB 0.0424 per watt, which is 5.8% lower than other n-type modules. In June 2023, Trina Solar’s Vertex N module passed RETC’s thresher test (see China Solar PV News Snippets).
Supply / Tracking Brackets
Guoqiang Singsun wins big tracking bracket system order: Guoqiang Singsun has announced that it is supplying its GQ-T2 Chaoyang series tracking bracket system to Aksai County Huidong New Energy Co., Ltd. The company has undertaken the construction of this 750,000-kilowatt solar thermal + PV pilot project, including 462 MW of tracking support. The project, located in the 10 million kW Sishili Gobi base, is claimed to be the largest PV tracking project launched in China this year. The project is expected to be completed and connected to the grid in October of 2024, and is expected to achieve an average annual on-grid electricity of 1.7 billion kWh, or about RMB 457 million ($62.5 million) in value. The GQ-T2 Chaoyang series system is a multi-point driven 2P tracking bracket system, with 15% higher power generation compared to traditional fixed brackets.
Arctech’s Tianzhi II features in Xinjiang’s 1st large module + tracking bracket project: Solar tracking and installation solutions provider Arctech announced that its Tianzhi II tracking system has been deployed in the 400,000 kW PV power project of Tianfu. The project, part of a 1 million kW PV base project in Shihezi, northern Xinjiang, was connected to the grid for power generation. Tianzhi II constitutes an installed capacity of 94 MW in this project located in the Gobi Desert, which is also the first in Xinjiang to use 210 mm large modules + tracking brackets. The Tianzhi II tracker adopts the multi-point parallel driving technology, with more than one driving devices for a single tracking system, which improves the critical wind speed of the system and makes the traditional 2P system very stable even under extreme weather conditions. The Tianzhi II tracking system uses 4 1500V strings, which carry up to 140 pieces of 210 modules while lowering electrical costs. The addition of Arctech’s new generation artificial intelligence PV tracking solution helps Tianzhi II to cope with various terrain, weather, and landform conditions in the real power station environment, and increases the power generation gain of the tracking system by up to 7%. Last month, Arctech announced a 1 GW tracker supply contract in Uzbekistan (see China PV News Snippets).
Supply / Silicon
Astronergy to purchase silicon wafers from Huamin subsidiary:?Solar module manufacturer Astronergy Solar rgy has signed a purchase agreement with Honsun, a subsidiary of Huamin. Under the contract, Astronergy and its related parties plan to purchase about 15 GW of monocrystalline silicon wafers from Honsun and its related parties starting September 1, 2023 to August 31, 2026. Astronergy’s annual purchases are expected to be 5 GW/year. While the sales price will be determined through monthly negotiation, the total contract value is estimated to be RMB 6.3 billion ($862 million) at prevailing market prices. In August, Astronergy reported that it has officially commissioned its Yiwu Intelligent Manufacturing Base (see China Solar PV News Snippets).
Supply / PV Automation Equipment
RoboTechnik wins bid for Trina Solar’s PV automation equipment facility: High-end automation equipment manufacturer RoboTechnik announced that it has won a bid from Trina Solar. As part of the RMB 358 million ($48.75 million) bid, RoboTechnik will supply PV automation equipment for Trina Solar’s “40 GW cells: Huaian Phase III + Dongtai + Tinghu + Yangzhou” facility. The duo had announced another PV equipment supply deal worth RMB 101 million ($14.2 million) in June of this year (see China Solar PV News Snippets).
PV Power Plant
Junzheng Group to build 450 MW PV power generation facility: Junzheng Group has announced that it plans to build a 450 MW photovoltaic power generation project at an estimated cost of RMB 2.573 billion ($350 million). The facility will cover an area of about 22,950 mu, with construction expected to be completed in June 2025. The company plans to use either p-type PERC bifacial double-glass or n-type bifacial modules.
Efficiency
Dali Huasun Phase 1 complete; 1st batch of 210 HJT solar cells hit 25.23% efficiency: Huasun has announced that the 2.5 GW Dali Huasun Phase 1 is now complete. The 1st batch of 210 HJT cells produced at the facility have achieved an average conversion efficiency of 25.23%, with a peak of 25.69%. The company had announced the rollout of the 1st cell from this facility in March of this year. Phase 1 is expected to achieve a production capacity of 1.8 GW by the end of this year (see China PV News Snippets).
DAS Solar’s TOPCon cell hits 26.33% efficiency: Solar PV module and cell supplier DAS SOLAR has announced that its n-type high-efficiency large-area cell (333.4 cm2) has broken the previous record by achieving 26.33% efficiency. Certified by the China’s National Photovoltaic Industry Metrology and Testing Center, the cell is based on the company’s TOPCon core technology. DAS Solar had previously reported a peak efficiency of 26.24% for its n-type TOPCon cell with 333.05 cm2 area (see ‘New World Record’ For Highest Voc Of TOPCon Cells).
DAH Solar’s TOPCon cell reaches 26.05% mass production conversion efficiency: PV Module developer and manufacturer DAH Solar olar has announced that the average conversion efficiency of its mass-produced TOPCon cells has reached an industry-leading 26.05%. In June, DAH Solar and S.C New Energy had jointly announced that DAH Solar’s TOPCon cell manufacturing base set a record of 23 days with a yield rate of 97% and an efficiency of 25.4% (not listed at the time). By end of July, the company had improved it to 25.8%through continuous optimization. The current level of 26.05% is an improvement over July, achieved with the introduction of laser SE equipment and technology. DAH Solar recently signed a 5 GW TOPCon Solar Cells and PV Modules production project with Anhui Chaohu Econometric and Technological Development Zone (see China Solar PV News Snippets).
Certificates
Talesun Solar I&T Center gets TüV Rheinland TMP lab certification:?German independent testing organization 德国莱茵TüV集团 has affirmed its TMP (Testing at Manufacturer’s Premises) lab certification for the Talesun Solar Photovoltaic Inspection and Testing Center after a qualification review. The review included a comprehensive review of the center’s organizational structure, quality system, testing process, test reports, and measurement certificates. According to the expert group, the center meets the ISO/IEC-17025 laboratory management system standard and IEC61215 and IEC61730 series test standards. Recently, TüV SüD granted TMP witness laboratory qualification to Chinese module maker DAS Solar Photovoltaic Laboratory (see China Solar PV News Snippets).
Partnership
LONGi signs strategic cooperation agreement with NWEPDI: Vertically integrated solar manufacturer LONGi Solar has announced that it has entered into an agreement to further deepen its cooperation with Northwest Electric Power Design Institute (NWEPDI). As part of the agreement, LONGi will contribute through R&D and manufacturing, multi-scenario business solutions, etc., while NWEPDI will bring its strengths in planning leadership and engineering construction in the new energy field. The 2 parties came together to jointly launch the Kairouan 100 MW Project in Tunisia, their 1st first overseas project and also the 1st landing project under the strategic agreement. This project, covering an area of 200 hectares, is located in Kairouan City in the east-central region of Tunisia. LONGi recently broke ground on its new integrated facility in the Weibei New City Economic Development Zone (see China Solar PV News Snippets).
JinkoSolar and Siemens sign strategic cooperation agreement: Leading PV manufacturer Jinko Solar Co., Ltd. has announced it has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Siemens Digital Industrial Software. Focused on cooperation in the field of new energy and digital business, this agreement builds on the previous agreement between the 2 parties in 2017. According to the agreement, Siemens will use its Opcenter software platform and cooperate with JinkoSolar’s factory to extend the existing Teamcenter software, the R&D process management platform of the PV industry sector, to new industries such as energy storage. The duo aims to establish a group-based and unified PLM platform in an accelerated manner, which in turn will promote the coordinated research and development of various avenues such as “wind-solar hydrogen storage.” Recently, JinkoSolar signed a cooperation agreement with Huaneng Renewables, aimed at resource integration and complementing each other (see China Solar PV News Snippets).
Financial Results
Drinda’s H1 2023 revenue and profit up: Solar PV cell and automotive instrument panel assembly manufacturer Drinda reported that its revenue increased 112.83% YoY to RMB 9.421 billion ($1.3 billion) for H1 2023. Its revenues came in within the expected range of RMB 900 million to RMB 1.1 billion (see China Solar PV News Snippets). The company’s net profit rose 250.23% YoY to RMB 956 million ($131.5 million). Drinda’s revenue from PV cells increased 138.83% YoY in H1 2023, which was 99.88% of its total revenue for the period. Its gross profit margin for PV cells increased by 7.09% to 16.77%. In terms of production capacity, the company has put 18 GW and 13 GW of n-type TOPCon capacity into production at the Chuzhou base and the Huaian base, respectively. At the Huaian base, the 13 GW Phase II is under construction and is expected to come online by the end of 2023. At that time, n-type will account for over 80% of Drinda’s production capacity, while its total capacity will reach 53.5 GW. The company claims that the average efficiency of its mass-produced cells has reached 25.5%, with the laboratory efficiency exceeding 26.2%.
TAIYANGNEWS VIRTUAL CONFERENCE
#Block26Sep2023 for TaiyangNews #VirtualConference on Advanced Module Applications – From BIPV To Floating Solar.
The field of applications for solar is quickly growing, What was new yesterday, might be an emerging segment today, and really big tomorrow. The segment of floating has developed rapidly into a significant market – and solar module applied need to have different characteristics than panels applied on power plants in the desert. Though still smaller, the field of agricultural photovoltaics (agri solar) has enormous untapped potential, and the opportunities for building integrated solar seem endless in the long run.
In our Advanced Module Applications virtual conference on Sept. 26, we will have leading stakeholders from module manufacturing, research, and deployment discuss the latest developments in this solar segment.
The Conference will take place on 26 September 2023, from 09.30 to 13:00 CEST. The #registrations are for #free. To #registernow, click here