• LONGi has started production of its BIPV product for which it aims to have an annual manufacturing capacity of about 1 GW
  • Higher shipments in the first half of 2020 is boosting JA Solar’s expectations to report increased net profit for the period
  • India reportedly blocking as much as 10 GW of Chinese PV import products  in its ports

LONGi officially rolls out BIPV product: LONGi has entered the building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) segment with its first such product that was rolled out at its Xiji BIPV fab. The Chinese vertically integrated module manufacturer has started producing these modules for mass production through its dedicated presence in the space under the brand name LONGi Roof. PV Men reported the development, saying that LONGi’s BIPV product is based on the company’s Hi MO4 monocrystalline technology using double glass half-blade frameless modules. The product will be officially launched by the LONGi during the SNEC show in August 2020. It plans to have annual production capacity of about 1 GW for this technology once the entire line is functional.

JA Solar shares H1/2020 business guidance: During the first half of 2020, JA Solar expects to have increased its annual net profit by 64.83% to 85.11%, earning between RMB 650 million to RMB 730 million ($93 million to $104 million). It attributes this possible increase to higher shipments during the period and the advancement of its technologies being a hit with its customers.

Indo-China strife hampering Chinese PV shipments to India: As the Indian government is expanding its protection measures against Chinese imports (the latest being a ban on usage of 59 Chinese mobile apps following the recent armed conflict at their borders), PV Men reports as much as 10 GW of solar PV exports from China have been blocked by India for customer clearance at Indian ports. Chinese cell and module manufacturers are also wary of India’s move to impose basic custom duties on products originating from China, a move recently proposed by MNRE to be implemented as of August (see MNRE Details Basic Custom Duty Proposal For Solar). In addition, India has been encouraging the use of domestically manufactured solar cells and modules in government tenders. PV inverter makers from China apparently worry that these measures may eventually be extended to their domain as well, according to PV Men.