JA Solar sets new commercial world record for TOPCon cells
Vertically integrated solar manufacturer JA Solar has announced that its Bycium+ TOPCon cell has achieved groundbreaking efficiency and open-circuit voltage results, as verified by Germany's Institute for Solar Energy Research Hamelin (ISFH). The cell, with an area of 330.1 ± 1.3 cm², recorded an Isc (short-circuit current) of 13,717 ± 150 mA, a Voc (open-circuit voltage ) of 748.6 ± 3.1 mV, an FF (fill factor) of 83.82 ± 0.92%, and a conversion efficiency of 26.07 ± 0.39%. JA Solar states this open-circuit voltage surpassed the current record for BC cells and reached the passivation level of HJT cells, setting a new benchmark in the commercial TOPCon domain.
JA Solar, in collaboration with S&P Global, unveiled its inaugural TCFD Report at COP29, analyzing climate risks and their financial impacts based on mainstream international climate scenarios (see China Solar PV News Snippets).
AIKO recognized in China's National Governance Innovation Case selection
Solar cell and module manufacturer AIKO Solar has been named one of the ‘Top 10 Typical Cases of National Governance Innovation (High-Quality Development)’ for 2024. This selection was organized by People's Tribune and guided by People's Daily, which is one of the most influential media outlets in China. The selection evaluates cases based on innovation, scientific rigor, effectiveness, applicability, and impact. AIKO's winning case, titled ‘Empowering High-Quality Development with New Productive Forces: The AIKO Practice,’ highlighted its achievements in technological innovation, intellectual property protection, and the construction of an n-type BC ecosystem.
Recently, AIKO Solar and Gokin Solar announced a strategic partnership to jointly develop the BC (Back Contact) product ecosystem (see China Solar PV News Snippets).
LONGi delays 15 GW solar module project
Leading solar PV manufacturer LONGi has announced the postponement of its 15 GW monocrystalline module project in Wuhu (Phase II), Anhui Province. The company raised RMB 7 billion ($985.03 million) through convertible bonds to fund several initiatives in January 2022, including the Xixian Leye 15 GW cell project and, the Ningxia Leye 5 GW cell plant (Phase I: 3GW). The Xixian Leye project has been upgraded to a 29 GW HPBC cell facility, completed in April 2024. Meanwhile, funds initially allocated for the Ningxia Leye 5 GW project were partially redirected in 2023, with RMB 1.08 billion ($151.95 million) assigned to the Wuhu (Phase II) 15 GW module project.
According to LONGi's December 11 announcement, the Wuhu project's completion date has been delayed from December 2024 to June 2026. LONGi says the decision stems from the supply-demand mismatch in the industry and a decline in module prices.
China Huaneng’s perovskite tandem cells achieve 26.12% efficiency
Power sources developer China Huaneng has announced that its large-area perovskite-silicon tandem cells have achieved a conversion efficiency of 26.12% over an aperture area of 1337.4 cm², as certified by a third-party authority. These cells have been developed by China Huaneng's Clean Energy Technology Research Institute in collaboration with Huaqing Perovskite Photovoltaic Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. The company has also established a MW-scale demonstration plant featuring commercial modules with square-meter dimensions.
QW Solar supplies modules for green energy data center
QW Solar has completed the photovoltaic (PV) installation for the project of the Horinger Data Center Cluster, part of China’s National Integrated Computing Power Network. Jointly developed with Horinger New District in Inner Mongolia and China Huadian, the project aims to provide direct green power to data centers. With a total investment of RMB 1.663 billion ($233.96 million), it focuses on renewable energy generation and supporting grid infrastructure, incorporating PV, wind power, and energy storage systems.
The 70 MW PV part of the project utilizes QW Solar's Orca XII series modules. The company reports that the integration of wind power and energy storage systems (ESS) is ongoing, with the entire project expected to be operational by the end of December 2024. Once completed, the project will deliver green electricity directly to data centers of companies like China Mobile, China Telecom, etc.