PV module manufacturer GCL SI, along with Soochow University, Yangzhou University and other industry-chain partners, has established the Suzhou Space Photovoltaics Innovation Consortium. The consortium will focus on R&D and commercialization of space PV technologies, including module lightweighting, radiation resistance in space environments, and high specific power. Its objectives include advancing technology development, in-orbit validation, and commercialization.
GCL SI has previously conducted R&D on space PV technologies. In July 2026, its flexible crystalline silicon-perovskite tandem solar cell achieved a conversion efficiency of 33.44%, with device-level specific power exceeding 2,000 W/kg. The company has also developed space-grade thin crystalline silicon solar cells with an AM0 conversion efficiency exceeding 21.5%.
In addition, the company’s coverglass-interconnected cell (CIC) simulation testing, conducted at an energy of 1 MeV and a fluence of 1 × 10¹⁴ e/cm², combined with thermal cycling and UV exposure, resulted in cumulative degradation of no more than 20%.
On the topic of space PV, the 3-day TaiyangNews High-Efficiency Technologies Conference 2026 dedicates a full day to it. The conference also dedicates a day each to TOPCon and xBC technologies. It is scheduled for November 11, 20, and 25, from 09:30 to 12:30 CET. Agenda and free registration here.
Connector and PV mounting component maker Wenzhou Yihua Connector Co., Ltd., which operates under the CZT brand, has postponed the planned completion of its PV mounting core component production base in Yueqing, Zhejiang province, from December 2026 to June 2027. This is the second time that the company has delayed its completion, which was originally scheduled for April 2026 (see China Solar PV News Snippets)
The project has a total investment of RMB 404.84 million, including RMB 373.71 million in proceeds earmarked for it. The company said only the completion date would change, while the project entity, investment scale, construction scope, and use of proceeds would remain unchanged.
The delay is attributed to limited supporting infrastructure in the surrounding area, which slowed initial construction and affected the overall schedule.
The first construction section of the 2 GW Tianwan offshore tidal-flat PV demonstration project in Lianyungang, Jiangsu province, has achieved full-capacity grid connection, with 301.7 MW now online. Built by Energy China (CEEC), the project covers more than 1,867 hectares in the warm-water discharge area and surrounding tidal flats of the Tianwan nuclear power plant. It includes offshore PV arrays, an onshore substation and an energy storage facility.
Described as the world’s first multi-energy complementary demonstration project combining nuclear heat, solar, and storage, it is expected to generate about 2.234 billion kWh of electricity annually when complete. Together with the Tianwan nuclear power plant, it is expected to form a clean energy base with total installed capacity exceeding 10 GW. In April 2026, CNNP Rich Energy announced it had begun initial grid connection for the 7th section of this project (see China Solar PV News Snippets).
Zhejiang province has launched its second 2026 mechanism price bidding round for renewable energy projects, covering a total electricity volume of 13.325 billion kWh. This includes 13.070 billion kWh for solar PV and 255 million kWh for wind power. Bid prices must range from RMB 0.242/kWh to RMB 0.393/kWh, and the mechanism price will apply for 12 years.
The auction follows Zhejiang’s first 2026 bidding round, whose results were announced in April. That round allocated 4.29 billion kWh of electricity volume under the mechanism at RMB 0.3812/kWh across 31,024 projects.
Major Chinese energy developer China Three Gorges Corporation (CTG) has launched the first batch of its 2027 centralized procurement for PV modules, string inverters, and fixed mounting structures. The framework agreements will run through June 30, 2027.
The module procurement covers an estimated 5,241.5 MWp. Modules must meet Grade 3 or higher under GB 47834-2026, which sets minimum conversion efficiencies of 23.2% for TOPCon, 23.2% for HJT, and 23.5% for BC modules.
The inverter procurement covers 6,666.3 MW of string inverters rated from 300 kW to 500 kW. These must achieve Grade 1 efficiency, with a minimum average weighted overall efficiency of 98.50% and maximum conversion efficiency of at least 99.00%.
All three procurement categories will use framework agreements, with actual volumes subject to project requirements. The fixed-mount procurement category excludes fixed-adjustable, tracking, and flexible mounting structures.