Following an extensive research process over the past couple of weeks, we can now reveal the top-10 module suppliers (by shipment volumes) for the calendar year 2017.
PV Tech reached its own little milestone of having reported and analysed the R&D spending habits of the same 12 key PV module manufacturers for 10 years. The results have just been published in sister technical journal Photovoltaics International as part of the annual leaders and laggards of R&D spending for 2016.
The significance of PV-Tech’s forthcoming conference in Kuala Lumpur – PV ModuleTech 2017 – has just moved to a new level, with the key company executives from all members of the Silicon Module Super League (SMSL) giving presentations on stage about the quality, reliability, and performance of their solar modules.
Once upon a time, it was relatively easy to verify a PV module manufacturer’s shipment claims and therefore any market share gains or shipment milestone claims as the majority of leading companies were public listed entities.
India installed 5.5GW of utility-scale solar capacity in the last fiscal year and the country is expected to add another 8GW in the coming year, according to consultancy firm Bridge to India’s ‘India Solar Map’.
SB Energy, a joint venture between Japanese tech firm Softbank, Bharti Enterprises and Foxconn Technology Group, has started operations at a 455MW solar project in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, according to a release from the module supplier Trina Solar.
‘Silicon Module Super League’ (SMSL) member Trina Solar has reported a verified N-type monocrystalline Interdigitated Back Contact (IBC) solar cell with a conversion efficiency of 24.13%. Japan Electrical Safety & Environment Technology Laboratories (JET) verified the results.
Trina Solar has launched its high-efficiency P-type mono-PERC (Passivated Emitter Rear Cell) bifacial module ‘DUOMAX Twin.’ The modules have a 0~+5W positive power tolerance and have a 285-300W power range with 18% maximum conversion efficiency.
