Major China-based PV module manufacturer Risen Energy has reported its latest JÄGER HP 72-cell sized module has achieved a record conversion efficiency of up to 21%, tested and certified by independent third-party institute TUV-SUD.
According to provisional data from BloombergNEF (BNEF), global solar PV installations reached 109GW in 2018 as the cost of installing a megawatt of photovoltaic capacity fell 12%, which spurred markets outside China to increase installations.
‘Silicon Module Super League’ (SMSL) member LONGi Solar has reported a new solar cell world record conversion efficiency for monocrystalline silicon PERC (Passivated Emitter Rear Cell) technology of 24.06%, which has been verified by the National Center of Supervision and Inspection on Solar Photovoltaic Product Quality (CPVT) in China.
According to reports, Saudi Arabia’s National Industrial Clusters Development Program (NICDP) and petrochemicals to manufacturing conglomerate SABIC have signed MOU’s with LONGi Group and OCI to bring fully integrated solar manufacturing to the country.
Chinese module manufacturer Astronergy will close its Frankfurt production facility with the loss of 200 jobs. The site will, however, be repurposed into a sales and service hub for the European market.
‘Silicon Module Super League’ (SMSL) member Canadian Solar has said it has shipped a total of 2.6GW of PV modules with its anti-LeTID (Light and elevated Temperature Induced Degradation) PERC (Passivated Emitter Rear Cell) technology to date.
Solar cell production in 2018 represented change on many fronts, but may be remembered as a year during which Chinese-owned companies made further strategic moves as part of the current Beijing mandate to position the country as a high-tech manufacturing global powerhouse.
China-based PV module materials and N-type mono module manufacturer Jolywood (Suzhou) Sunwatt Co is planning to expand production through its key stakeholders Lin Jianwei and Zhang Yuzheng selling between 5%-10% of their shares in the company to Huajun Industrial, part of the Haujun Group.
Jolywood (Suzhou) Sunwatt Co has launched two differentiated high-efficiency N-type mono PV modules. The new products, the JW-HT&HD Series ‘Paving’ module boasts a front power of 430W, efficiency of 20.5%, integrated power of 530W with efficiency of 25.4%, as well as a rear power gain of 30%. The JW-HF Series ultra-light flexible module weighs 3.75kg per sqm, due to the advanced composite encapsulation materials.