Russia's second largest solar developer and the largest domestic PV manufacturer Hevel LLC has received a patent for its heterojunction technology (HJT) solar modules. In the last few month, the joint venture between Russian companies Renova and Rusnano has placed a number of orders for solar production equipment, including Singulus Technologies SILEX II processing machine for wet-chemical treatment of heterojunction solar cells.
The manufacturing of HJT modules is expected to start soon at Hevel's factory in Novocheboksarsk, increasing its production capacity from 100 MW to 160 MW per year.
"The new module is the result of our own R&D program that started about a year ago," Hevel's CEO Igor Shakhray told pv magazine. "Industrial samples of our new technology demonstrate the efficiency of 20,3%. HJT modules combine the best characteristics of thin-film and crystalline silicon elements. The specifics of our product is that we use tools for plasma chemical vapor deposition of silicon dioxide on glass for thin-film technology."
According to Shakhray, this year, Russia is expected to install up to 200 MW of new solar plants. Hevel itself has a 70 MW pipeline due in 2016: "The largest share of project, three plants totaling 45 MW, is under construction in Orenburg region. Our specialists are currently installing modules at the 10 MW PV facility near Grachevka village. Another 10 MW plant near Pleshanovo as well as a 25 MW facility near Sol-Iletsk are to be completed by the end of November."
Recently, Hevel has also begun construction on a 15 MW solar PV plant in Saratov Region, Southern Russia.
Russia's current renewable regulations set domestic content requirements at 70%, and Hevel's PV factory is the largest solar manufacturing facility in the country to date. However, Havel is not only planning to supply PV technology for domestic projects, but also aiming to increase its global market share.
At the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum 2016, Hevel signed an agreement with the Russian export center and announced its plans to supply high-efficiency PV cells and modules to CIS countries, Southern Asia, Middle East and Africa. The company also considers exporting hybrid PV-diesel solutions to Asian and African countries.
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