China Solar PV News Snippets: Trinasolar’s TOPCon Modules Yield 2% More In Marine Settings & More

2% higher energy yield with Trinasolar’s TOPCon modules in marine environments

Trinasolar has reported that its TOPCon modules have achieved a 2% higher energy yield over XBC modules and reduced BOS costs by RMB 2.5 cents/W in a Weihai offshore simulation, proving their reliability and efficiency for marine use. Trina Solar’s Vertex modules, with TÜV Rheinland certification for offshore PV, endure extreme conditions like high salt, humidity, and wind, backed by extensive material testing to ensure durability against marine impacts.

Tailored for offshore challenges, the Vertex N 700W+ and 625W modules deliver high energy yield, cost efficiency, and easy transport. Trina has deployed these modules in major projects, including China’s 100 MW fishery-PV setup, aligning with IREA’s projection of 1,000 GW offshore PV capacity by 2050.

Recently, Trinasolar supplied over 1 GW of its Vertex N 720W modules to the Jinsha River upstream clean energy plant (see China Solar PV News Snippets).

Microquanta’s small-size perovskite module achieves 23.65% efficiency

Perovskite PV company Microquanta Semiconductor has announced that its small size perovskite module has achieved a 23.65% efficiency rate (average of forward and reverse scans). This efficiency has been certified by the Fujian Institute of Metrology, says Microquanta. According to the test report, the perovskite module, with an area of 19.38 cm², achieved a forward scan efficiency of 23.55% and a reverse scan efficiency of 23.75% under standard test conditions of 1,000 W/m² irradiance and 25°C. Microquanta noted that the high-efficiency cell, based on its proprietary frozen laser repair technology, demonstrates exceptional photo-thermal durability, with less than 5% efficiency degradation even after exposure to cumulative UV aging doses far exceeding the IEC 61215 standard (200 kWh).

Microquanta’s large-area perovskite module was included in a CPVS list of highest research cell efficiencies with 14.99% efficiency (see CPVS Releases China’s Highest Research-Level Solar Cell Efficiencies).

5 companies win 500 MW n-type module tender

Zhejiang Jiaotou Zhongtan Environmental Technology Co., Ltd. has announced the results of its 2024-2025 open tender for 500 MW of n-type solar modules. The modules are required to have a minimum power output of 585 W. The 5 winning companies are:

·         Zheshang Development Group Co., Ltd. with a bid of RMB 0.645/W($0.0898/W)

·         JinkoSolar with a bid of RMB 0.642/W ($0.0893/W)

·         GCL SI with a bid of RMB 0.666/W ($0.0927/W)

·         Risen Energy with a bid of RMB 0.67/W ($0.0932/W)

·         Astronergy with a bid of RMB 0.655/W($0.0912/W)

The average bid price across the 5 companies was RMB 0.6556/W ($0.0912/W).

DKEM’s 9M 2024 solar silver paste shipments up 41%

In its latest investor relations update, solar materials company DKEM reported strong performance in the photovoltaic conductive silver paste market for the first 3 quarters of 2024. During this period, DKEM’s revenue reached RMB 11.509 billion ($1.62 billion), a year-on-year (YoY) increase of 88.77%. Its net profit (excluding non-recurring items) of RMB 408 million ($57.42 million) was up 65% YoY. DKEM reported conductive silver paste sales of 1,581.16 tons, a 41.40% increase YoY, with products used in n-type TOPCon cells accounting for 87.66% (1,386.40 tons) of the total. The management expects annual shipments for 2024 to be between 2,000 and 2,500 tons.

In the first half of this year, DKEM had announced its intention to raise RMB 264.5 million ($36.81 million) for the construction of a set of R&D and manufacturing facilities (see China Solar PV News Snippets).

1^st batch of China’s 1^st high-wind area offshore solar project grid-connected

Initial units of China's first offshore solar project built in a high-wind area, the 180 MW Dongshan Xingchen offshore solar power plant by China Three Gorges Corporation, have been connected to the grid. The project, which includes an 18 MW/36 MWh energy storage system, went online in November and is expected to be fully completed by the end of 2024, with an annual output of 300 million kWh of clean electricity. Located in a region with an average annual wind speed of 5.2 m/s and peak gusts of up to 48 m/s, the site poses challenges due to complex environmental factors such as strong winds, surges, and ocean currents. To address these, the project pioneers a “three-dimensional layered ownership” model for offshore solar, integrating solar power generation with fish farming through a multi-pile structure that enhances typhoon resilience and supports “solar power above, aquaculture below” mode.

Recently, China Three Gorges Renewables (CTGR) announced its plans to invest in a 12.5 GW renewable energy base in the Taklamakan Desert (see China Solar PV News Snippets).

China’s 1^st energy law to be enacted in 2025

China’s 14^th National People's Congress Standing Committee has passed the country’s first-ever Energy Law, which is set to take effect on January 1, 2025. This law establishes definitions for energy, guiding principles, and responsibilities of regulatory bodies. It also specifies the entities responsible for various energy planning levels and sets requirements for drafting these plans. The law aims to improve systems for energy development and utilization, enhance the energy market, and strengthen the energy reserve and emergency systems. China intends to prioritize renewable energy development, clean and efficient fossil energy use, and increase the share of non-fossil energy in consumption. The law supports the development of wind and solar energy, promoting both centralized and distributed installations, and encourages the construction of wind and solar power bases, distributed projects, offshore wind power, and solar thermal power.