CTDC begins commercial production of tin-oxide baseplates for a-Si solar PV modules

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

China Technology Development Group (CTDC) has begun commercial production of tin-oxide (SnO2) solar baseplates, a transparent conductive oxide substrate used as a top electrode for amorphous-silicon thin-film photovoltaic solar cells and modules.

The company’s first volume manufacturing line, located in the China Merchants Zhangzhou Development Zone near Xiamen, China, will have an annual run rate of 70,000–80,000 plates when it reaches full capacity. CTDC says it expects to expand its capacity to the equivalent of approximately 20-30 MW by 2009.
 
CTDC and its engineering partners, Terra Solar Global (licensor of the proprietary technology and manufacturing process) and Chinese United Semiconductor Equipment Manufacturing, continue to develop advanced TCO processes. The joint efforts have led to the adoption of an advanced heating process and an improved SnO2 spray application, which will contribute to a 50% reduction in energy consumption and higher continuous working hours, as well as producing baseplates with greater electrical conductivity stability, according to the company. Because of the enhancements, the TCO substrates meet international commercial specifications and standards with high transmission, good conductivity, and high haze to better trap light into the amorphous silicon layer of the cell.  
 
Hong Kong-based CTDC entered the solar energy sector in September 2007. The company began testing its products in May 2008 at its R&D pilot-line facility in Jiangsu, China, and shipped its first batch of SnO2 baseplates to China Stream Fund Solar in June.

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

“We are excited to have reached this milestone in less than a year. This is a big step toward our goal of reaching the full production capacity of our product in the near term,” noted Alan Li, chairman/CEO of CTDC. “We expect to continue to meet the growing market demand for solar baseplates. In addition, the production and sales of the baseplates will become a new and stable profit growth point of the company. We aim to substantially raise production capacity of product and reduce production cost through expansion of the production lines, as well as steadily [incorporating] technical innovations.”

— Tom Cheyney
 

Read Next

October 8, 2025
Saatvik Green Energy has secured new solar PV module orders worth more than INR7 billion (US$84 million), to be delivered in this financial year.
October 8, 2025
Australia's NEM achieved a new minimum operational demand record of 9,666MW, marking a 4% decrease from the previous record.
October 8, 2025
Frontier Energy plans to expand its Waroona Renewable Energy Project into a renewable energy precinct by 2031, targeting up to 1GW solar.
October 7, 2025
Econergy will acquire 100% stake in the 155MW Ratesti solar project in Romania, further expanding its European renewable energy portfolio.
October 7, 2025
Juniper Green Energy through its subsidiary Juniper Green Sigma Eight has signed a 70MW power purchase agreement with renewable energy giant Tata Power. 
October 7, 2025
Solar PV will account for almost 80% of the 4.6TW of new renewable power expected to be added by 2030, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
October 21, 2025
New York, USA
Solar Media Events
November 25, 2025
Warsaw, Poland
Solar Media Events
December 2, 2025
Málaga, Spain
Solar Media Events
February 3, 2026
London, UK