CHINA SOLAR PV NEWS UPDATE: WEEK 46

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

China’s residential distributed solar installations surpass 105 GW as of September: China’s National Energy Administration has released statistical data that indicates that the country’s cumulative installed capacity of residential distributed solar systems has surpassed 105 GW as of the end of September 2023. This achievement significantly contributes to China’s total installed solar capacity reaching a substantial 520 GW. According to the provided statistics, the number of installed residential distributed PV systems in China’s rural areas has surpassed 5 million households. For 9M 2023, the newly added capacity for residential distributed solar in China reached 32.977 GW, constituting approximately 50% of the total newly added distributed solar capacity. This surpasses 25% of the total national solar additions during the same period, marking a 1.3-times increase compared to last year. Recently, NEA reported that China added a total of 128.9 GW of solar power during Q3 2023 (see China Solar PV News Snippets ).

Fujian Province unveils 5.33 GW market-oriented solar projects: The Fujian Provincial Development and Reform Commission has issued a notice on the implementation of the “2023 Fujian Solar Power Station Development and Construction Plan.” The plan unveils 28 market-oriented solar projects with a total capacity of 5.33 GW. Among these projects, offshore solar accounts for 3.26 GW, fishery-solar complementary projects contribute 1.56 GW, and coastal tidal flat solar projects represent 0.51 GW. According to the requirements, the selected projects are expected to complete the filing process and commence construction within 6 months, with full completion and operation targeted within 2 years.

BUSINESS

Production / Cells & Modules

Jietai Solar unveils MoNo Series n-type cells: Solar cell manufacturer Shangrao Jietai New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (Jietai Solar/JTPV) has announced the launch of its n-type “MoNo” series high-efficiency cells. The company says that the cells leverage LPCVD technology and incorporate LP dual-insertion, and employ both first and second-generation SE technologies. It claims that this results in a 12 mV increase in open-circuit voltage, breaking through to 732mV. Additionally, the new product introduces J-Rpoly neon poly technology and J-STF ultra-fine grid technology, which the company says effectively reduce optical and electrical losses while enhancing cell conversion efficiency. The MoNo series cells currently support mainstream sizes of 182mm*182mm and 210mm*210mm. The company has also introduced a new 182mm*210mm (210R) size of n-type rectangular cells.

GCL Integration’s Funing Base solar module fab fully operational: Solar cell and module manufacturer 协鑫集成 has announced that the 12 GW high-efficiency solar module fab at its Funing base has been fully put into production. Starting construction in March 2023, the company rolled out the 1st module from the facility in September, and has now reached full-scale production. The new production line produces 210/182 TOPCon high-efficiency PV modules, with module efficiency of up to 22.5%. Combined with its 15 GW module production capacity at the Hefei base and the 10 GW n-type TOPCon cell production capacity at the Wuhu base, the company has integrated the production of n-type cells and high-efficiency modules. Last month, GCL Integration reported a 97.43% YoY increase in its 9M 2023 operating income (see China Solar PV News Snippets ).

Sichuan Province invites 10 GW integrated PV cell & module facility in Leshan: The Government of Sichuan has announced its plans for a 10 GW integrated solar cell & module facility in Leshan City. The total planned investment in the 500-acre facility is about RMB 7 billion ($966.8 million), which is located in the western region of Leshan City High-tech Zone. The land acquisition work has been started and the land is expected to be are for construction by January 2024. The government aims to attract integrated facilities with back contact, perovskite based cells and modules from both domestic and foreign PV companies.

Tongwei unveils TNC Module G12R Series: Integrated solar PV manufacturer Tongwei Solar (Tongwei) has announced the launch of its TNC Module G12R series. The product consists of 2 variants – one a residential distributed module based on 48 pieces of 210R cells, reaching a peak power of 445 W, with dimensions of 1762x1134mm. The second is a C&I/ utility-scale module based on 66 pieces of 210R cells, achieving a maximum power of 620 W, and dimensions of 2382x1134mm, all delivering a module efficiency of 23%. The company says that the module series employs TNC high-efficiency cell, which achieved a breakthrough production efficiency of 26.1%. Tongwei’s TNC modules were featured in TaiyangNews New Solar Products Overview H1/2023, which can be downloaded for free here .

Hanersun launches Hitouch5A module: PV module manufacturer Hanersun has launched its new Hitouch5A high-efficiency module series based on All Back Contact (ABC) cell technology. The modules use full backside interconnection technology, non-destructive cutting and high-density packaging processes to achieve a combination of aesthetics and energy efficiency. The company says that the product also offers enhanced reliability and durability. Hanersun claims that the module has achieved maximum power of 600 W under testing, with a maximum conversion efficiency of 23.2%.

DAS Changtong’s southwest Guizhou PV module production base starts operations: Guizhough Changtong Group has announced that the DAS Changtong PV module production base in southwest Guizhou has been officially put into operation. The 28,000 sq. m. base has been jointly invested and constructed by Guizhou Changtong Group and DAS Solar. It mainly produces high-efficiency n-type TOPCon PV modules, with a total production capacity of 2 GW. The base is expected to generate RMB 3 billion ($411.5 million) in annual revenues. Recently, DAS Solar and Mubang Hi-Tech jointly signed an agreement with the Xinzhou Economic Development Zone Management Committee to invest in a 20 GW n-type silicon ingot fab (see China Solar PV News Snippets ).

Astronergy adds new product lines to ASTRO N7 series: PV module manufacturer Astronergy Solar has announced that it has added new product lines for 66-rectangular cell products in its ASTRO N7 TOPCon product series. Stating that these product lines are ready to be put into mass production, the company says its customers can enjoy higher gains and lower solar systems costs with these products. Astronergy expects its ASTRO N7 66-cell product to deliver power of over 615 W and a conversion efficiency of over 22.8%. Made with 210 mm n-type rectangular silicon wafers, the 182 x 210 mm wafer has 15.6% more area compared to the mainstream M10 wafers on the market, helping to improve cell and module efficiency and reducing the cost per watt. The modules are equipped with high-transmittance glass, which the company says effectively isolates water vapor and improves durability. The company says that its new 66-cell products offer a temperature coefficient of -0.29%/℃, leading LID & LETID performances, low irradiation performance and great mechanical performance, and 30 years of steady output with only 0.4% degradation for each year (the 2nd to 30th year).

Production / Cells & Modules / HJT

Huasun secures over RMB 2 billion in Series C funding: Solar panel manufacturer HUASUN HJT has announced the successful completion of its Series C funding round. The funding, totaling over RMB 2 billion ($275.9 million), was led by China Green Development Investment Group, with participation from Bank of China Asset Management and China Post Insurance. Wuxi Guolian Jintou Zhiyuan and Emerging Asset also increased their investment. The capital raised in this round will be allocated towards the continuous expansion of Huasun’s high-efficiency HJT production and the research and development of cutting-edge technologies such as heterojunction-perovskite tandem solar cells. Recently, Huasun announced achieving ‘new record-breaking’ power output of 750.54 W for its G12-132 HJT modules (see Chinese Solar Companies Report ‘Records’ For HJT Modules ).

Gree starts construction on HJT solar cell & module production facility: Household consumer goods and industrial equipment manufacturer Gree Group has announced that it has started construction of its heterojunction (HJT) solar cell & module factory at its Hongjun Base. The Hongjun HJT facility, with a total investment of approximately RMB 5.9 billion ($815 million), spans around 300,000 sq. m. The plant has 7.2 GW of annual capacity for solar cells and 5 GW for modules. The 1st phase of the project is set to commence production by the end of 2023, with subsequent phases scheduled for completion before the end of 2024.

Production / Perovskite Pilot Line

Fosimai completes construction 100 MW perovskite packaging pilot line: Fosimai Intelligent technology has announced via WeChat that it has completed construction of its 100 MW perovskite pilot line. The company says it can provide complete line solutions for leading perovskite module manufacturers. Stating that it has mature perovskite cell back-end packaging production line equipment, it expects to supply equipment to 2 to 3 customers in H2 2023.

Production / Mounting System Brackets

Yiheng New Energy’s mounting system manufacturing facility starts operations: PV equipment manufacturer Yiheng New Energy has announced via WeChat that Phase I of its PV mounting system bracket project has been put into production. The 130,000 sq. m. facility has a planned production capacity of 10 GW/year and is being constructed in 2 phases of 5 GW each. Once at full capacity in 2024, the facility is expected to generate RMB 2 billion ($274.4 million) in annual revenues.

Supply / Cells & Modules / HJT

Leascend and Quanwei New Energy sign HJT cell sales framework contract: PV cell and module manufacturer Leascend Photovoltaic has announced that it has signed a heterojunction (HJT) cell sales framework contract with Quanwei New Energy. According to the contract, Leascend will sell 150 MW of Class A G12 heterojunction cells to Quanwei New Energy. The contract is valued at over RMB 100 million ($13.7 million). The company said that it is making efforts to expedite the construction of the HJT cell planned production capacity. Leascend recently announced that it will construct a 12 GW heterojunction solar cell facility in Jiangsu Nantong (see China Solar PV News Snippets ).

Supply / Cells & Modules / TOPCon

Trina Solar signs MoUs with 2 companies: Leading PV and smart energy total solutions provider 天合光能 has announced that it has signed 2 memorandums of understanding (MoU), one with Marubeni Australia and another Solar Juice.

The MoU with Marubeni Australia, the Japanese trading house, is for the supply of 1.5 GW of Vertex N solar modules to the Oceania region over a 5-year period. Under the agreement, Trina will supply Vertex modules based on n-type i-TOPCon cell technology. For residential and commercial projects, the modules include the Vertex S+ NEG9R.28 and NEG9R.27. For larger commercial & industrial projects, the modules include the Vertex NEG19RC.20 and NEG18R.28.

Under Trina’s agreement with Solar Juice, the latter will purchase 1 GW of Vertex modules from Trina over a 3-year period. The modules include the Vertex S+ NEG9R.28 and NEG9RC.27 450W+ monofacial modules for the residential segment, and Vertex NEG18R.28 500W+ n-type i-TOPCon dual-glass module for both commercial & industrial (C&I) and residential projects. Recently, Trina Solar and TW Solar (Tongwei) signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement which outlines plans for further collaboration in the PV industry chain (see China Solar PV News Snippets ).

Supply / Equipment

Ideal Deposition gets perovskite cell equipment order from US solar firm: Solar equipment manufacturer Ideal Deposition has announced that it has formally received an order from a leading US solar company. As part of the order, Ideal will supply the buyer its independently developed equipment for depositing thin films on perovskite solar cells using the Spray-Assisted Layer-by-Layer Deposition (SALD) process. Additionally, discussions are underway for collaboration on production equipment for solar cells.

Power Plant

SANY to build integrated renewable project in Jilin Province: SANY Renewable Energy Co., Ltd. has announced that it plans to invest in an integrated wind, solar, hydrogen, and ammonia project in Changling County, Songyuan City, Jilin Province. The project includes the construction of solar and wind power stations, transmission lines, hydrogen and alcohol production facilities, as well as storage, transportation, and energy storage facilities. The total investment for the project is estimated to be CNY 6.5 billion ($897 million), and the construction is expected to be completed within 18 months.

Glass Facilities

Flat Glass plans 2 solar glass facilities in Indonesia: Solar glass manufacturer Flat Glass Group Co., Ltd. has announced its intention to establish 2 solar glass manufacturing facilities in Central Java, Indonesia. The facilities, with a daily melting capacity of 1,600 tons each, will be built through its Indonesian subsidiary. The company says that it is investing approximately $290 million in the facilities, that will include glass production lines and associated processing production lines.

Clean Energy Bases

Jiangsu to build 2 new clean energy bases: The Jiangsu Provincial Development and Reform Commission has announced that it plans to build 2 clean energy bases of 1 GW each for offshore wind power and offshore PV by the end of 2027. The commission says that it will focus on green energy development, power supply support, new energy storage, etc. in coastal areas. The offshore wind power + offshore PV installed capacity in Jiangsu’s coastal areas is expected to be increase by more than 10 GW by 2027.

Partnerships

Trina Solar and Tongwei forge deeper cooperation: Integrated solar manufacturer 天合光能 and Tongwei Solar (Tongwei) have signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement. The agreement outlines plans for further collaboration in the PV industry chain, including modules, polysilicon, cells, and joint ventures. The 2 companies had announced a joint venture in November 2020, with aims to deepen cooperation in various areas, including high-purity multicrystalline silicon, efficient solar cell supply chains, modules, and the expansion of the PV industry chain. The latest signing is expected to accelerate the development of strategic emerging sectors in the PV industry by 2024. Recently, TW Solar (Tongwei) announced the launch of its TNC Module G12R series (see China Solar PV News Snippets ).

Jinko Solar Australia to collaborate with ACDC Research Group: Solar PV manufacturer JinkoSolar’s Australian subsidiary, Jinko Solar Australia, has announced a strategic collaboration with the Artificial intelligence, Characterisation, Defects, and Contacts (ACDC) Research Group at the University of New South Wales (UNSW). The company says that the partnership aims to push the boundaries of solar technology by monitoring and optimizing the true field performance of Jinko’s solar cell technologies, including the next generation of bifacial PERC and TOPCon modules.

Further, the project will also develop a state-of-the-art commercial monitoring system for solar PV plants, leveraging historical data and machine learning to enhance operations and maintenance (O&M) strategies and enhance overall plant efficiency. The release says that the platform will have the capacity to investigate module and system degradation, more accurately predict soiling rates, and enable proactive maintenance actions to prevent faults.

Efficiency

Nature Energy paper on Maxwell’s SHJ cells with 26.41% efficiency: Renowned scientific journal Nature Energy has published results from latest research on high-efficiency silicon heterojunction (HJT) cell from Maxwell, The paper, the second on the company published in the journal, titled Industrial-scale deposition of nanocrystalline silicon oxide for 26.4%-efficient silicon heterojunction solar cells with copper electrodes, is a collaborative effort involving Maxwell team, Soochow University, SunDrive Corporation, Dalian University of Technology, Southwest University etc., with Suzhou Maxwell Technologies Co., Ltd. as the main unit. Mr. Jian Zhou of Maxwell, Professor Xinbo Yang and Professor Xiaohong Zhang of Soochow University, as well as Professor Alison Lennon of SunDive are the corresponding authors for this paper.

The paper details the manufacturing technology of high quality nanocrystalline silicon film by using the large-area (2m×2m) PECVD chambers with VHF excitation frequencies independently innovated by Maxwell, the high mobility TCO process with PVD transition metal doping synchronously developed by the industry-university-research team, as well as metallization technology with the direct electroplating process without seed layer. Combining the above, Maxwell has achieved the mutual demonstration of the principle and method of making the silicon heterojunction (SHJ) cells with 26.41% ultra-high conversion efficiency, paving the way for large-scale industrialization of high-efficiency SHJ cells. Recall that Maxwell had announced ISFH certification for n-type crystalline silicon HJT solar cell for 26.41% efficiency in September of 2022 (see Impressive 26.41% HJT Solar Cell Efficiency ).

Awards & Recognition

EcoVadis’ Silver Sustainability Award for JinkoSolar: Renowned module manufacturer JinkoSolar has announced that it has been awarded the silver certificate for sustainability by EcoVadis, with a score of 65/100. The company said that this score enabled it to be ranked in the top 10% of the assessed companies. JinkoSolar said that it has achieved progress in all strategic sustainability categories evaluated by EcoVadis in the environment, labor and human rights, ethics, and sustainable value chains. Recently, JinkoSolar reported achieving a new world record of 24.76% efficiency for n-type TOPCon large area modules (see JinkoSolar Sets ‘New Record’ For TOPCon Module Efficiency ).

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