Tongwei and Trina Solar mark first ramp at 15GW cell, wafer facility

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
A ceremony marking the first production at the facility was held on 28 October 2021. Image: Trina Solar/Tongwei.

The first manufacturing line at a 15GW solar wafer and cell manufacturing facility in Chengdu co-owned by Trina Solar and Tongwei has begun to ramp.

A ceremony to mark the start of production was held late last week, just 32 days after manufacturing equipment began to be installed at the site in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

The facility is owned by Tonghe New Energy, a joint venture established by cell provider Tongwei and ‘Solar Module Super League’ member Trina Solar earlier this year. It will produce 210mm solar wafers and cells, doubling down on both manufacturers’ commitment to the M12 wafer format.

The facility is brought forward as part of Trina and Tongwei’s cell and wafer alliance which was struck last year to invest some US$2.3 billion to develop various upstream manufacturing projects in China. As well as the 15GW wafer and cell fab in Chengdu, polysilicon and silicon rod facilities in Baotou and Leshan respectively were also announced.

All facilities under the partnership are to be owned 65% by Tongwei and 35% by Trina Solar.

A statement issued by both parties marking the start of production at the site lauded the automated manufacturing facilities installed at the site, stating it marked the beginning of a “new stage in lean production and production processes”.

The ramp also serves to further Trina Solar’s buildout of its 210mm supply chain, and more specifically the manufacturing capacity of its Vertex range of PV modules, with the SMSL manufacturer intending to establish a total module manufacturing capacity for the product range of 10GW by the end of this year and 30GW by 2023.

Read Next

August 8, 2025
US solar tracker manufacturer Array Technologies has posted revenue of US$362.2 million in the second quarter of this year.
August 8, 2025
SolarEdge posted inverter shipments of 1.19GW in the second quarter of this year, alongside BESS sales of 247MWh.
August 7, 2025
Array Technologies and OMCO Solar have announced plans to supply US-made trackers for solar projects across the US.
August 6, 2025
Clean Energy Associates has warned its clients of a renewed danger of Uyghur Forced Labour Prevention Act enforcement against solar PV products under US president Donald Trump and secretary of state Marco Rubio.
August 6, 2025
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has announced that three companies will receive AU$45.5 million (US$29.5 million) in funding through the Solar Sunshot Program.
August 5, 2025
China’s leading polysilicon firms are reportedly considering shutting down one third of the country’s polysilicon capacity and restructuring the sector, following years of overcapacity and tumbling prices.

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