Tier-1 PV manufacturer Zhongli Talesun Solar expects to ramp it recently announced 500MW cell and module production plant near the end of year, which will produce PERC (Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell) technology for its new ‘Hipro’ 285W+ modules being launched at SNEC 2015.
Talesun said that the new PV modules would deploy solar cells with 20.3% conversion efficiencies, providing module conversion efficiencies of 17.55%.
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“The improved efficiency delivered by Zhongli Talesun’s Hipro module is due to the adoption of a Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell (PERC) technology,” said Paul Ni, CTO of Zhongli Talesun. “This technology enables great improvement in cell efficiency, and in addition, better performance in low light environments. Hipro module power output is 15W higher than traditional one’s, this is absolutely a huge leap-forward.”
PERC technology is rapidly becoming adopted as the next-generation cell architecture as it offers a reduction in electron recombination losses due to the addition of the passivation layer on the back side of the cell as well as providing more stable current, improving conversion efficiencies.
“We are very proud to launch Hipro high-efficient module. With PERC technology, our module power output has reached new heights,” added Davis Zhang, executive president of Zhongli Talesun. “Zhongli Talesun has a module production capacity of 2.5GW in 2015, including 0.5GW capacity with PERC technology in [our] new Thailand factory. Zhongli Talesun is always committed to product R&D and technology innovation, meanwhile we also have the courage to transform technology to advanced productivity. We believe only those who have core technologies and sustainable R&D ability can win the future.”
Talesun’s 500MW PERC plant in Thailand is one of the largest so far announced and is on par with other leading Chinese producers adding new capacity but dedicated to next generation cell technology, which in turn is a key driver for lower cost per-watt in the next few years. The company claims to have a combined nameplate capacity of 2.5GW with the ramp of the new plant in Thailand.
Trial production of the new Hipro module as well as the initial ramp of the plant is expected by the end of this year, providing Talesun the opportunity to target US and European markets, known to demand higher efficiency modules for residential and commercial markets.
The company has also joined the regional industry association in Asia, APVIA and will act as chairman member of the executive committee, which also collaborates with EPIA and SEIA.
Talesun also said it had signed a one season sponsorship agreement with Pasadena Racing’s Porsche 911 GT3 race car for the 2015 GT Asia Series of GT class motorsport.
