Integrated solar manufacturer Tongwei's Global Innovation R&D Center has announced that its latest TOPCon solar cell has achieved a bifaciality of 94.3%, certified by TÜV Rheinland. The corresponding PV module shows a bifaciality of 91.7% and a power output of up to 722 W. This achievement is attributed to a rear-side selective sunken pyramid structure and zebra-crossing passivation contact. The results were published in the journal Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells under the title Enabling 95% bifaciality of efficient TOPCon solar cells by rear-side selective sunken pyramid structure and zebra-crossing passivation contact. The paper is co-authored by Tongwei and Southwest Petroleum University.
Tongwei says it has started pilot production of modules with over 90% bifaciality and plans to launch mass production of modules with over 85% bifaciality later this year.
Tongwei recently completed a RMB 4.916 billion ($683.33 million) capital infusion into its majority-owned polysilicon subsidiary Sichuan Yongxiang (see China Solar PV News Snippets).
Solar cell and module maker Jietai Solar (JTPV) has announced that its manufacturing bases in Chuzhou and Huai'an have successfully obtained both ISO 50001:2018 Energy Management System and SA8000:2014 Social Accountability certifications. The Drinda Group company said that the ISO 50001 certification reflects its scientific and standardized energy management practices, while SA8000 ensures compliance with global social responsibility standards in areas such as labor rights, working conditions, and employee welfare. JTPV stated that the dual certification marks a new milestone in its commitment to energy efficiency, green operations, and corporate social responsibility aligned with international standards.
Tongwei and China Datang have jointly inaugurated a high-altitude photovoltaic demonstration power plant in Derong County, Ganzi Prefecture, Sichuan Province. Designed with unified panel types, tilt angles, spacing, and data acquisition systems, the plant enables precise comparison of different technologies under high-altitude and cold-climate conditions. It aims to evaluate power gain and degradation characteristics of various materials and manufacturing processes in plateau environments. Tongwei stated that this project fills a gap in its systematic demonstration data for PV modules in harsh environments and serves as a reference for optimizing module design and lowering LCOE in extreme conditions.
Sinopec Qingdao Refining & Chemical, a subsidiary of energy and petrochemical group Sinopec, has officially commissioned a 7.5 MW floating PV (FPV) project, covering approximately 60,000 m2 in a seawater environment. This is said to be China’s first FPV system deployed for industrial operations in seawater. An additional 23 MW expansion is planned. The system uses tide-adaptive floating PV platforms, which the company says reduce the panel-to-water surface distance to about 1/10th of traditional pile-based installations. The system utilizes seawater cooling to improve energy yield by 5% to 8%. The power generated will supply Sinopec’s nearby seawater-based hydrogen production project at the same site.
Last year, Sinopec was one of a group of entities that set up China Resources Recycling Group Co., Ltd., which, among other things, also focuses on recycling decommissioned PV equipment (see China Solar PV News Snippets).
Solar cable manufacturer Skycorp Solar has announced a major strategic upgrade, expanding from a PV component supplier into a comprehensive green energy solutions provider. The company will now engage in the acquisition and development of solar power plants. Skycorp’s board has approved a dedicated investment framework of up to $150 million (~RMB 1.05 billion), targeting high-growth, high-quality PV power assets worldwide and supporting capital requirements for new project development.
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