Trina Solar signs major wafer and glass supply deals as Vertex production ramps

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
Trina has secured the glass from Almaden at a price of RMB24/m2, far cheaper than current market prices. Image: Trina Solar.

Trina Solar has signed major wafer and solar-grade glass supply deals as it continues to ramp production of its new Vertex series of panels.

In deals confirmed today, Trina Solar has signed a contract with Wuxi Shangji CNC for the supply of more than 2 billion wafers between 2021 and 2025. In each of the next five years Trina is to purchase no less than 4GW of wafers, with the contract’s total wafer capacity amounting to 20GW, or 2 billion pieces.

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

As it stands all wafers supplied are to be 210mm – the size of wafer used within Trina’s Vertex series – however the contract does stipulate the size of wafer can be adjusted according to market demand.

The purchase price is to be negotiated on a monthly basis, however citing analysis by PV InfoLink, Trina placed the estimated purchase amount at just over RMB2 billion (US$305 million) per year.

Meanwhile, Trina has turned to Chinese glass provider Almaden for a major photovoltaic glass contract that will span over the next two years.

Under the terms of the deal, Trina will pay around RMB2.1 billion (US$320 million) for 85 million square metres of PV glass, to be used mainly in the production of the manufacturer’s new Vertex series of high-power module products.

That price equates to around RMB24.7 per square metre, meaning Trina has been able to lock in solar-grade glass supply at prices not seen since early September, according to PV Tech analysis. Solar glass demand is strongly outstripping supply currently, leading to prices deemed “out of control” by module manufacturers earlier this month.

Chen Ye, assistant VP for purchasing supply chain management at Trina Solar, said: “We are very pleased to sign this procurement contract when photovoltaic glass is in such high demand.”

Trina has lofty ambitions for the Vertex series and intends to reach production capacity of 21GW by 2021 and 31GW by 2022. Trina launched the Vertex series earlier this year, initially with a 550W version with 600W and higher power equivalents also in the pipeline. PV Tech’s product review of the Vertex panel can be read here, while further analysis of the technology that makes up the panel can be found here and details on Trina’s plan to ramp production capacity can be read here.  

Almaden, meanwhile, noted that a further glass furnace is under construction in order to meet accelerated demand for glass and is slated to begin production in the middle of next year.

Read Next

October 2, 2025
The Indian solar industry has 86GW and 182GW of solar cell and module manufacturing capacity, respectively, expected to be commissioned by 2027.
Premium
September 30, 2025
VDE Americas' David Devir looks at the origins of the supersized PV glass problem and considers how the industry can return to reliability.
September 25, 2025
A Fraunhofer and SolarPower Europe study has concluded that reaching the EU's annual solar module manufacturing target of 30GW is achievable.
September 18, 2025
Indian PV makers have welcomed the government’s plan to add solar wafers to its ALMM List-III from June 2028.
September 3, 2025
LONGi, Jinko Solar, Trina Solar and JA Solar posted combined net losses of nearly RMB11 billion (US$1.54 billion) in H1 2025.
July 25, 2025
A round-up of news from the Indian solar sector this week, including Reliance Industries' cell plant, Juniper Green Energy powering solar PV and Solex Energy launching new modules.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
Solar Media Events
October 21, 2025
New York, USA
Solar Media Events
November 25, 2025
Warsaw, Poland