2022 review in trends: Modules (Part I)
The move to n-type technology in mainstream PV production was a major development in PV cell and module manufacturing in 2022. Manufacturers added TOPCon and HJT capacity and racked up efficiency milestones in the process.
Chinese PV Industry Brief: Trina to supply 875 MW of trackers for Qatar solar plants
Trina Solar has signed an 875 MW tracker supply deal with Samsung C&T for Qatar’s new “IC Solar” project, while Chint said it aims to sell up to 8 GW of residential PV assets by the end of 2023.
Longi claims world’s highest efficiency for p-type, indium-free HJT solar cells
Longi said it has achieved a 26.56% efficiency rating for a gallium-doped, p-type heterojunction (HJT) solar cell and a 26.09% efficiency rating for an indium-free HJT cell, both based on M6 wafers. Germany’s Institute for Solar Energy Research in Hamelin (ISFH) has confirmed the results.
China connects 220 MW/440 MWh battery to grid
Robestec has connected a 220 MW/440 MW battery storage system to the grid in Ningxia, China. It is reportedly China’s largest standalone energy storage station, and uses lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries from Hithium Energy Storage.
Chinese PV Industry Brief: Estimated new solar additions may fall short in 2022
China’s National Energy Administration (NEA) said the country installed just under 7.5 GW of new PV in November, bringing cumulative additions in 2022 to 65.7 GW, far short of the estimated 85 GW or more.
DAS Solar unveils n-type bifacial glass-glass module for residential PV
Chinese module manufacturer DAS Solar has launched an all-black bifacial glass-glass module series with an output of 410 W to 430 W. The new series features efficiencies of up to 22% and a temperature coefficient of -0.3% per degree Celsius. The company is offering a 15-year product warranty and a 30-year power warranty for 87.4% of the initial yield.
Growatt releases new battery for rooftop solar applications
Growatt’s new APX HV cobalt-free lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery has a storage capacity of 5 kWh and a nominal voltage of 650 V. It can be scaled up to six battery modules, for a maximum capacity of 30 kWh, or 60 kWh in parallel. It comes with a 10-year warranty.
Australian researchers reveal new pathways for perovskite cells
Controlling the crystallization process of perovskite thin films is one of the most challenging aspects for upscaling solar tech, but an Australian research team claims to have made a breakthrough by creating next-generation PV cells with the potential to rival the durability of silicon alternatives.
Canadian Solar enters TOPCon solar module business
Canadian Solar said it will begin mass production of 690 W TOPCon products in the first quarter of 2023. The modules will feature a cell efficiency of 25.0% and a bifaciality factor of more than 85%.
Chinese PV Industry Brief: Tongwei, JA Solar reveals capacity expansion plans
Tongwei has revealed plans to add 25 GW of new module capacity at a new factory in Jiangsu province, while JA Solar has said that it will expand wafer, cell and module capacity across two industrial sites.
