SNEC 2023: QnSolar shifts from downstream EPC to major PV manufacturer

By PV Tech
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
QnSolar’s booth at SNEC 2023. Image: Solar Media.

Our series of exclusive interviews from SNEC 2023 in Shanghai, the biggest trade show in solar PV anywhere in the world, continues.

In an interview with PV Tech director David Evans, QnSolar chairman Stephen Cai outlines where the market is heading, and the company’s plans for today and the future.

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

Founded in 2013, and perhaps not yet a familiar name to the industry outside of China, QnSolar began as a developer focusing on the downstream market before adding its own manufacturing capabilities, as Stephen Cai explains. Within the next two years, QnSolar will reach 80GW annual cell production capacity and 30GW annual production of modules.

There was about a 50:50 split between P-type PERC and N-type TOPCon modules observed at SNEC this year, Cai says, but it seems possible demand for PERC will decrease in market share in the coming year or so.

QnSolar 585W N-TOPCon module at SNEC 2023 in Shanghai, May 2023. Image: Solar Media.
10 March 2026
Frankfurt, Germany
The conference will 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 out to 2030 and beyond.

Read Next

September 17, 2025
Struggling Swiss solar manufacturer Meyer Burger has formally entered into a debt moratorium, with the possibility of rescuing the entire group now looking unlikely.
September 17, 2025
Chinese module producer DAS Solar is planning a 5GW manufacturing facility focused on producing high-efficiency back contact cells.
September 16, 2025
Chinese polysilicon producer GCL-Tech has entered into a strategic financing agreement with Infini Capital, a globally renowned investment institution backed by a Middle Eastern sovereign wealth fund.
September 16, 2025
IB Solar is investing INR30 billion (US$340 million) in a 4GW TOPCon solar cell and module manufacturing plant in Jewar, Uttar Pradesh.
September 15, 2025
Vikram Solar has secured a contract to supply 200MW of modules to AB Energia, a domestic solar engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) solutions provider. 
September 11, 2025
US cell manufacturer ES Foundry is proceeding with expansion plans despite a six-month delay due to recent trade and tax credit policy uncertainties.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

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
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
San Francisco Bay Area, USA