Aiko steps up ABC transition with 11GW capacity upgrade and equipment investment

By Carrie Xiao
April 22, 2026
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
Aiko is upgrading two if its production lines to focus on ABC cell technology and investing in new equipment to support ABC production at its Jinan base. Image: Aiko

Chinese PV manufacturer Aiko has issued two major announcements regarding its plans to accelerate production of its high-efficiency all-back-contact (ABC) technology.

The first outlines solar cell capacity upgrades at its Yiwu and Chuzhou bases. The second reveals that a subsidiary has signed equipment procurement contracts to accelerate the construction and technical rollout of n-type high-efficiency ABC cell capacity.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

According to the capacity upgrade announcement, Aiko plans to invest approximately RMB1.665 billion (US$243 million) in two technical transformation projects as part of its full transition to the ABC technology route.

At the Yiwu Base (Plant 4), existing PERC cell capacity will be converted into 5GW of high-efficiency ABC crystalline silicon cell production capacity, with an estimated investment of RMB721 million. Construction is set to begin in Q2 2026, with gradual production starting in Q3 2026.

At the Chuzhou Base (Phase I), part of the existing TOPCon cell capacity will be upgraded to 6GW of high-efficiency ABC crystalline silicon cell production capacity, with an estimated investment of RMB944 million. The project is set to launch in Q3 2026 and will gradually ramp up production in Q4 2026.

Both projects will make full use of existing facilities and equipment, add key ABC process tools and upgrade power supply systems. AIKO said the goal is to build high-efficiency cell production lines with improved reliability and conversion efficiency, in order to meet rapidly growing market demand for its n-type ABC cells and strengthen the company’s leadership in back contact technology.

On the same day, Aiko announced that its subsidiary, Shandong Aiko, plans to sign an equipment procurement contract with its affiliate Suzhou Puyite Automation System Co., Ltd. Under the contract, Shandong Aiko will purchase six sets (10 units) of wet-process production equipment for solar cells, with a total contract value of RMB45.9 million (tax inclusive), to support mass production of third-generation n-type ABC technology at the company’s Jinan base.

This batch of equipment consists of customised, upgraded models featuring improvements in single-machine throughput, operational stability and intelligence level. The pricing has been verified as fair by an accounting firm and complies with technical confidentiality and process-matching requirements, providing key equipment support for large-scale ABC technology deployment.

Aiko stated that the coordinated progress of these capacity upgrades and equipment procurement will accelerate the conversion of existing PERC and TOPCon capacity to high-efficiency ABC cells, increasing the market share of ABC products and promoting BC technology as the industry mainstream.

13 October 2026
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
PV Tech has been running an annual PV CellTech Conference since 2016. PV CellTech USA, on 13-14 October 2026 is our third PV CellTech conference dedicated to the U.S. manufacturing sector. The events in 2023, 2024 and 2025 were a sell out success and 2026 will once again gather the key stakeholders from PV manufacturing, equipment/materials, policy-making and strategy, capital equipment investment and all interested downstream channels and third-party entities. The goal is simple: to map out PV manufacturing in the U.S. out to 2030 and beyond.

Read Next

April 21, 2026
According to Ember's Global Electricity Review 2026, renewables accounted for 33.8% of global power generation in 2025.
April 20, 2026
Solar PV accounted for more than a quarter of total global energy demand growth in 2025, becoming the single largest contributor to new energy supply, according to the International Energy Agency.
April 20, 2026
Chinese PV manufacturer JinkoSolar has launched a new lightweight solar module designed for low-load-bearing rooftops.
April 16, 2026
JinkoSolar’s 2025 results have revealed declines in annual module shipments and revenues, as well as a sharp drop in profitability.
April 15, 2026
Rumours of a closed-door meeting in China to discuss polysilicon production cuts sent the share prices of several leading players higher before they were widely denied.
April 15, 2026
US-based PV manufacturer Suniva is to open a new solar cell manufacturing facility in Laurens, South Carolina.

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
June 16, 2026
Napa, USA
Solar Media Events
October 13, 2026
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
Solar Media Events
November 3, 2026
Málaga, Spain
Solar Media Events
November 24, 2026
Warsaw, Poland
Solar Media Events
March 9, 2027
Location To Be Confirmed