Mono

As p-type mono cell efficiencies edge closer to their limits, n-type cells are increasingly being recognized as next-generation technologies, writes PV InfoLink analyst Amy Fang. Manufacturers have focused their research and development efforts in recent years on the creation of commercially viable pathways for heterojunction (HJT) and tunnel-oxidized passivated contact (TOPCon) cells.

Taiwanese analyst Energytrend saw prices for high power products fall over the past week, but so far only in China. That trend could be replicated around the world next week, however.

Polysilicon and wafer suppliers are still struggling with oversupply and low demand. Tier 1 raw material manufacturers have signed their October orders, but further down the food chain, companies are still waiting for bites. Overall, prices on the cell and module level are in slight decline, although prices for ultra-high efficiency modules have climbed by a small margin, on the back of increased demand.

PV InfoLink has released its latest solar PV module shipment ranking for H1 2018. Chinese manufacturers continue to dominate the market, while monocrystalline module shipments increased sharply. Overall, it forecasts total PV demand of 83 GW in 2018.

According to reports from Energy Trend, a 30% decline in PV demand from China this year will likely spell trouble for some of the country’s major module manufacturers, with job losses and factory closures expected, despite China’s determination to open new international markets for its PV industry.

Two large Chinese ingot and wafer makers have announced bold plans to expand their capacities beyond anything seen to date. In the process they could transform the entire upstream solar manufacturing landscape.

The Chinese solar energy firm announces details of joint venture with the Qujing Municipal Government in China to build a 20 GW monocrystalline ingot facility in Qujing.

The Ashalim solar park is a 250 MW project that will combine concentrated solar power and photovoltaics once completed. JA Solar is sole supplier of the PV modules.

Independent solar analyst, Corrine Lin believes that Longi’s plans to triple monocrystalline wafer production capacity to 45 GW by 2020 could trigger an oversupply problem in the second half of this year.

The Chinese vertically integrated solar manufacturer has set out a three-year roadmap, aiming for 28 GW monocrystalline wafer capacity by end of this year, 36 GW by the end of 2019, and 45 GW by 2020.