Five Years of Innovation—-Trinasolar Leads the 210mm Module Revolution

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At the recent 210mm Five-Year Ecological Innovation Conference, Dr. Zhang Yingbin, Head of Strategy, Product, and Marketing at Trinasolar, took the stage to highlight the transformative impact of the 210mm solar module on the industry. The 210mm module, defined as a photovoltaic module based on a 210mm square or rectangular wafer, has reshaped the solar landscape in unprecedented ways.

The Rise of the 210-Module

The journey of the 210mm module began in February 2020 when Trina Solar unveiled the first-ever 210mm solar module, leveraging Zhonghuan Semiconductor’s 210mm wafer technology introduced the previous year. This innovation sparked a rapid evolution in solar technology, driving the expansion of the 210mm product line and creating an entire ecosystem of advanced solutions.

By 2023, the adoption of 210mm modules surpassed expectations. Initially, industry experts predicted a 30-40% market share by 2025. However, by Q1 2023, global shipments of 210-modules had exceeded 120 GW, with Trinasolar alone surpassing 100 GW by November 2023. By the end of 2024, global shipments are expected to reach approximately 380 GW, with Trinasolar contributing more than 170 GW—illustrating the widespread adoption of 210 technology and the company’s industry leadership.

Market Shift and Technology Adoption

Data from TrendForce underscores the dramatic shift in the market, with large-format wafers, including 210mm and 210R, expected to account for nearly 39% of global capacity by the end of 2024, and will grow to 58.4% in 2025. As noted at the conference, smaller wafer sizes (166mm and below) have almost entirely faded from the market since 2023 and 182mm size wafer also declined dramatically, with the industry predominantly adopting 210mm and 210R modules.

The Core Drivers of 210-Module Success

The success of the 210-module can be attributed to its ability to deliver substantial improvements in both efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Dr. Zhang Yingbin summarized the key value proposition as the “Four keys unlocking low LCOE”: high power, high efficiency, high reliability, and high energy yield, all contributing to a lower Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE).

An evaluation by Fraunhofer ISE found that 210mm modules reduced Balance of System (BOS) costs by 2.7–3.7 eurocents/W in Spain and Germany compared to 166mm modules, resulting in a 6-7.6% reduction in LCOE. Compared to 182mm modules, the LCOE reduction was between 1.9% and 4.1%.

Logistical savings have further accelerated the adoption of 210mm technology. Trinasolar’s 2384mm x 1134mm 210R rectangular modules achieved a 98.5% container utilization rate, significantly lowering transportation costs.

Industry Leap: From 500W to 700W in Five Years

Historically, increases in module power—such as from 200W to 300W—took 8-9 years. However, the introduction of 210mm modules catalyzed the leap from 500W to 700W in just five years. In February 2020, power output of modules was focused on 400W. Trinasolar’s first 210 PERC-based module surpassed 500W, and by mid-2020, the company’s 210 Vertex module ushered in the 600W+ era. In August 2023, Trinasolar became the first to achieve mass production of 700W+ modules with its i-TOPCon technology, marking a major milestone in the sector’s evolution.

Collaborative Ecosystem and Industry Integration

The success of the 210mm module is also attributed to the collaborative ecosystem that Trinasolar has nurtured. Unlike the incremental upgrades of 166mm or 182mm modules, the introduction of the 210mm module required overcoming significant integration challenges across the entire value chain, from crystal pulling and wafer cutting to cell production and module assembly. Trinasolar recognized early that success would depend on a collective effort across the solar industry.

Following the launch of the 210 module, Trinasolar initiated the “600W+ Photovoltaic Open Innovation Ecosystem Alliance,” which included 39 leading solar companies such as Tongwei, TCL Zhonghuan, and Aiko Solar. This alliance played a crucial role in advancing 210mm technologies. In December 2023, the alliance was upgraded to the “700W+ Photovoltaic Open Innovation Ecosystem Alliance,” further accelerating technological innovation.

Through this collaboration, Trinasolar has established a comprehensive 210mm ecosystem that addresses challenges across 210mm wafer industrialization, non-destructive cutting, low-voltage module design, high-density packaging, MBB technology, and integrated delivery solutions. The shared research and innovation have benefited all members, with Trinasolar releasing a series of white papers on 210mm modules, advancing the design and technology of 210mm and 210R products.

Continuous Technological Innovation

Another cornerstone of the 210mm module’s success is Trinasolar’s commitment to continuous innovation. The company has consistently pushed the boundaries of 210mm technology, achieving record-breaking efficiency levels. In November 2024, Trinasolar set a new world record of 26.58% efficiency for its i-TOPCon Ultra cell technology based on the 210mm platform.

Looking ahead, i-TOPCon technology offers significant potential for further efficiency improvements. With advancements in bifacial full-passivated contacts, light trapping, and ultra-fine grid lines, annual efficiency gains of 0.3–0.4% are anticipated. Combined with n-type technology, i-TOPCon cells are expected to surpass 27% efficiency. In the future, tandem cells integrating TOPCon and perovskite technologies could push efficiency beyond 30%, unlocking even greater potential for 210mm products.

Standardization and Industry Leadership

Trinasolar has also spearheaded efforts to standardize module sizes, establishing the “golden size” for small, medium, and large-format modules. This standardization has set a new industry benchmark, reducing non-technical costs associated with differing module sizes, optimizing the supply chain, and supporting the industry’s transition to higher-quality development.

As Trinasolar’s Founder, Chairman and CEO, Mr. Gao Jifan, states, “The true path to success in business is rooted in ‘altruism.’ Our goal is to foster a collaborative photovoltaic ecosystem, and work alongside all our partners to provide more value for customers and the industry as well.”