GCL-Si unveils new 300W+ module series

Chinese module maker GCL System Integration (GCL Si), a unit of the world’s largest polysilicon manufacturer GCL-Poly, presented a new series of solar modules at the SNEC PV Power Expo 2018, taking place in Shanghai, China.

The newly released 300W+ module series, presented by the GCL Si president Luo Xin, includes single-glass and glass-glass products, in mono and polycrystalline panels.

GCL claims the modules are more efficient and reliable and offer better adaptability to the environment. The Chinese manufacturer also said its single-glass monocrystalline product, with an output of 305 W, is the most powerful monocrystalline module in mass production. GCL Si’s glass-glass product’s mono version boasts 315 W, even higher than that required by China’s PV Top-Runner program, the company added.

Chief Technology Officer Zhang Chun said with the help of MBB technology, the new products increased cell efficiency by 2%, and total module power by 30 W. “Upgraded manufacturing processing helps to increase the products’ quality and durability, and exceed the requirements of China’s PV Top-Runner program,” said the CTO.

GCL Si also said it wants rebalance its mono and poly products to treat them equally, as a consequence of the success of the PV Top-Runner program, which has ushered more mono and high-efficiency modules such as mono-PERC and N-Type products to market.

Luo also mentioned the importance of foreign markets. As fierce competition in China increases, the company is planning to rebalance its overseas business and expand, especially in emerging markets. GCL Si’s internal sales data shows last year, overseas markets accounted for 26.37% of the business of GCL System Integration, with its Chinese business making up the rest. The company believes that ratio will change to 50-50 by end of this year, and that in 2020 sales outside China will reach 70%.

With the launch of the new module series, GCL has scotched rumors of a possible exit from module production, heard in mid-May. In a press release published before SNEC 2018, the company had somehow reacted to these rumors. In the release, trailing the launch of the new series, GCL Si also said its module production capacity stands at 6 GW and that in 2017 it shipped 4.7 GW of modules.

Author: Vincent Shaw