First PV power plant to use 1366 Technologies high performance wafers

June 29, 2017
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
US-Based wafer producer 1366 Technologies said that a small 500kW PV power plant in Hyōgo, Japan is the first commercial usage of its ‘Direct Wafer’ technology outside several test sites in the US, Germany and Japan.

US-Based wafer producer 1366 Technologies said that a small 500kW PV power plant in Hyōgo, Japan is the first commercial usage of its ‘Direct Wafer’ technology outside several test sites in the US, Germany and Japan.

1366 Technologies noted that the PV system in Japan used IEC-certified modules fabricated by a major Chinese module manufacturer and included over 120,000 of its wafers.

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

“This commercial installation delivers all of the expected benefits specific to solar power and then some, the energy payback of an installation featuring Direct Wafer products is accelerated to less than a year due to the fact that our technology uses just one-third the energy,” said Frank van Mierlo, CEO, 1366 Technologies. “IHI has a long history of identifying and adopting groundbreaking technologies, we’re proud the Direct Wafer process is part of that story.” 

The commercial project was built by IHI Plant Construction Co, a subsidiary of Japan’s IHI Corporation.

The commercial project was built by IHI Plant Construction Co, a subsidiary of Japan’s IHI Corporation. Image: IHI
16 June 2026
Napa, USA
PV Tech has been running PV ModuleTech Conferences since 2017. PV ModuleTech USA, on 16-17 June 2026, will be our fifth PV ModulelTech conference dedicated to the U.S. utility scale solar sector. The event will gather the key stakeholders from solar developers, solar asset owners and investors, PV manufacturing, policy-making and and all interested downstream channels and third-party entities. The goal is simple: to map out the PV module supply channels to the U.S. out to 2028 and beyond.
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

March 26, 2026
More than 70% of global solar manufacturing facilities exhibited “major” or “critical” defects in 2025, according to a new report from Intertek CEA.
March 25, 2026
The global annual capital expenditure on PV manufacturing equipment is expected to more than double to US$43.8 billion over the next decade, according to a report from VDMA.
March 25, 2026
TCL Zhonghuan has reported a 2025 loss alongside a raft of executive changes as its operating revenue rose slightly year-on-year.
March 25, 2026
Drawing on multiple field inspections, James Whittmore of Enertis Applus+ discusses some of the common problems emerging in the run-up to the US’s July project safe harbour deadline.
March 23, 2026
PV recycling capacity in Europe is lagging behind forecast waste volumes over the coming decades, according to a new study.
March 19, 2026
Indian rooftop solar specialist Solarium has moved into PV manufacturing with the commissioning of a 1GW module facility in Gujarat.

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
April 15, 2026
Milan, Italy
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