Solar cell and module manufacturer DAS Solar, in collaboration with Hebei University, has developed a high-efficiency, stable silicon-based carbon nanotube solar cell, named CNT:PSS/Si. The research findings, titled Efficient and Stable Hole-Transport Material for Solar Cells: from PEDOT:PSS to Carbon Nanotubes:PSS, were published in a leading academic energy journal, ACS Energy Letters.
The team combined the high conductivity and optical properties of carbon nanotubes (CNT) with the passivation effect of polystyrene sulfonate (PSS) to create a non-doped, highly efficient, and stable hole transport material CNT:PSS. Using monocrystalline silicon as a substrate, the team coated it with a CNT:PSS thin film to produce CNT:PSS/Si cells, achieving over 23.3% efficiency, with simulations indicating the potential to reach 29%.
Recently, a Weining County government release revealed that DAS Solar is entering the back-contact (BC) domain, having submitted plans for a 5 GW high-efficiency BC cell facility in Bijie, Guizhou Province (see China Solar PV News Snippets).
GCL Technology, the polysilicon subsidiary of GCL Group, announced it has signed a share subscription agreement with Infini Capital Management Limited. The company will issue approximately 4.736 billion new shares at HKD 1.15 per share, raising a total of about HKD 5.446 billion ($696.3 million). The placement represents around 16.63% of the company’s existing share capital in issue. Upon completion, Infini Capital will hold 14.26% of GCL Tech. The company plans to allocate 65% of the proceeds to structural adjustments in polysilicon production capacity, strengthening the silane gas business (covering applications in semiconductors, PV BC cells, solid-state batteries, and display panels), and optimizing the capital structure. The remaining 35% will be allocated to working capital and debt repayment.
In April, GCL Tech reported strong granular silicon profit margins for Q1 2025 (see China Solar PV News Snippets).
Leading integrated solar enterprise LONGi has completed the grid connection of its first PV project using Hi-MO X10 Guardian Light Design modules. Located in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, the project installed these modules across a 7,000 m² rooftop with a capacity of 1.4 MW. The system is now fully connected to the grid and expected to generate 1.5 million kWh annually. LONGi highlighted that the module weighs only 7.2 kg/m² – 42% lighter than conventional double-glass TOPCon modules – making it well-suited for older rooftops with limited load-bearing capacity.
China’s Ministry of Finance has allocated RMB 4,618,314,000 ($643.6 million) in renewable energy tariff subsidy funds to State Grid. According to State Grid’s announcement, the subsidy covers RMB 2,065,191,000 ($287.9 million) for wind power, RMB 2,158,916,000 ($300.9 million) for solar power, and RMB 394,207,000 ($54.9 million) for biomass power. The funds will support eligible renewable energy projects across 26 provinces under State Grid’s administration, including but not limited to national PV poverty alleviation projects, selected bidding PV projects, and the ‘Top Runner’ PV program.
The Inner Mongolia Development and Reform Commission, Department of Industry and Information Technology, and Energy Bureau have jointly issued a notice, calling on the manufacturing industries to further optimize their mandatory and voluntary renewable electricity consumption. It mandates that the existing major energy-consuming industries, including electrolytic aluminum, steel, polysilicon, and cement, must achieve a minimum 30.7% share of green power consumption (calculated via green certificates) in 2025. For new data centers, the requirement exceeds 80%, while existing data centers should aim to reach over 60%.
Inner Mongolia also plans to establish zero-carbon industrial parks, requiring a minimum of 70% green power consumption, with a long-term target of over 90%. The notice encourages enterprises to pursue green electricity consumption certification and ESG disclosure.
In July, China Photovoltaic Industry Association (CPIA) revised its solar installation forecast for 2025 upward, projecting the country to add 270 GW AC to 300 GW AC, with provincial green power mandates playing a significant role in its upward revision (see CPIA Revises 2025 China Solar Projections Up To 300 GW AC).