SNEC 2017: The next big solar module trend on display

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
SolarWorld's Bisun cells used in bifacial modules. Image: SolarWorld.

SNEC 11th (2017) International Photovoltaic Power Generation Conference & Exhibition (SNEC 2017) in Shanghai, China maybe the largest annual exhibition in the solar industry but its sheer size and number of attendee’s can often mask emerging trends that are better highlighted at other events such as Solar Power International (SPI) in the US. 

Some good examples would be the introduction of 1,500V solar modules or 72-cell modules, both driven by the PV utility-scale market in the US and primarily showcased for several years at SPI in Las Vegas. Such modules have since become mainstream product offerings and are being adopted in other markets around the world.

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

However, SNEC 2017 should not be remembered for its massive booth screens or deafening promotional videos fighting for attention but a technology that is born out of another technology that is setting its own major trend and industry transition. 

Shanghai shows its bifaciality

PV Tech alluded to this next big trend in modules at the beginning of the week when we reported that the world’s first full-size IBC bifacial module would be displayed at SNEC this year. 

Bifacial modules in general, notably from the migration to PERC but of course applies to PERT, HJ and IBC cells, provides solar cell producers with the option to fabricate cells on both sides of the wafer, boosting efficiency. 

Actual production volumes of bifacial modules in 2017, is very small but that is about to change, especially considering the number of companies showcasing bifacial modules at SNEC. 

Though time does not allow product reviews at this time, we thought a partial pictorial selection of some of the bifacial modules being displayed on booths at SNEC, should adequately demonstrate that a recent niche product could be set for the mainstream, very shortly.

The Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS) at the National University of Singapore (NUS) has developed the world’s first full-sized Interdigitated Back Contact (IBC) bifacial solar module using International Solar Energy Research Center (ISC) Konstanz, ‘ZEBRA’ solar cells.
Jinneng Clean Energy Technology (Jinergy) said it would be starting mass production of its N-type monocrystalline bifacial heterojunction (HJ) modules in 2017.
Yingli Green Energy's PANDA cell design now comes in bifacial form and in production.
QXPV (NINGBO QIXIN SOLAR ELECTRICAL APPLIANCE CO., LTD has a selection of bifacial modules.
7 October 2025
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
PV Tech has been running an annual PV CellTech Conference since 2016. PV CellTech USA, on 7-8 October 2025 is our third PV CellTech conference dedicated to the U.S. manufacturing sector. The events in 2023 and 2024 were a sell out success and 2025 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

September 5, 2025
Scientists from Germany and Saudi Arabia have discovered that perovskite thin-film cells are compatible with current industry standard silicon solar cells, which they claim is a “crucial step toward the industrialisation of perovskite silicon tandem solar cells”.
Premium
September 4, 2025
Analysis: A Biden-era policy to suspend the payment of duties on Southeast Asian module imports looks set to backfire badly on an already under-pressure US solar industry.
September 4, 2025
ARENA has launched the second funding round of its AU$1 billion Solar Sunshot programme, making AU$150 million available.
September 2, 2025
The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) will build a pilot solar cell line in Germany to support US manufacturer Talon PV’s efforts to establish solar cell capacity in the US.
September 1, 2025
Solar Organic Centro España is planning to build a 10GW solar module and battery manufacturing facility in the Spanish autonomous community of Castilla-La Mancha.
Premium
August 28, 2025
US solar companies could potentially pay “tens of billions” of dollars in retroactive duties on products imported from Southeast Asia between June 2022 and June 2024, following a decision from the US Court of International Trade (CIT).

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
October 2, 2025
London,UK
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines