Astronergy launches silicon wafer slicing fab in Thailand; Tongwei-led study funded by National Natural Science Foundation; XN Automation to supply equipment to Astronergy; GoodWe to collaborate with DAQO Energy; MIIT releases China's PV industry data for Jan-Feb 2024.
Astronergy's Thailand silicon wafer slicing fab online: Chint Group subsidiary Astronergy has announced that it has rolled off the 1st silicon wafer from its Thailand base. The company aims to reach 5 GW of silicon wafer slicing capacity at its Thai base. This facility is the final part of the company's integrated base in Thailand, which consists of silicon wafer slicing, solar cells, and module production. It says that the facility is equipped to handle all mainstream silicon wafer sizes currently on the market and utilizes the most advanced processing equipment available.
Earlier this month, Astronergy announced it had won a 1.05 GW n-type TOPCon module order from CNPC (see China Solar PV News Snippets).
National Natural Science Foundation of China supports Tongwei study: A joint project between Tongwei Solar, Sichuan University, and the China Electrical Equipment Industry Institute has received funding support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China. The project is titled Accelerated Aging Mechanism, Lifespan Prediction, and Control of Key Polymer Encapsulation Materials for Photovoltaic Under Harsh Environmental Conditions. It addresses the rapid aging and functional failure of key multilayer polymer encapsulation materials used in photovoltaics (PV) under harsh environmental conditions. It aims to uncover the mechanisms of accelerated material degradation in complex environments, establish a multivariate service life model, and develop effective life control strategies to enhance the reliability of PV modules in service.
A recent Sinovoltaics report named Tongwei among 13 manufactures that have made it to its safe zone (see New Report Analyzes Financial Stability Of Module Makers).
XN Automation wins contract from Astronergy: Automation equipment manufacturer XN Automation has secured a supply contract for Astronergy's 5 GW 0BB module factory at the Fuyang base, in Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province. XN Automation will supply the latter IFC direct film-coating technology, featuring the CHJ40 integrated film-coating machine, CP80 layout machine, and the DH300 ultra-high-speed busbar stringer.
GoodWe and DAQO Energy to collaborate: Solar inverter & ESS manufacturer GoodWe and polysilicon manufacturer DAQO Energy have announced a strategic cooperation agreement. According to the agreement, the 2 companies will collaborate on supply chain cooperation, market expansion, technological innovation, and management enhancement. They aim to create supply chain collaborations in the fields of renewable energy, electrical, and digital energy. In energy storage and renewable energy generation, the 2 companies will share R&D platforms and resources to enhance technological innovation and project development to address the needs of the energy storage and renewable energy generation markets.
In February, GoodWe announced plans to repurchase up to RMB 10 million ($1.39 million) of its shares with its own funds (see China Solar PV News Snippets).
China's silicon module production hits 76 GW for the 1st 2 months of 2024: China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has released operational data for the PV manufacturing industry for January and February 2024.
Key data from the report include: