Recently, JinkoSolar, a global leader in the photovoltaic industry, announced that it has signed a contract for Kyrgyzstan’s largest 325 MW solar power plant and reached a supply agreement for its high-efficiency Tiger Neo 3.0 modules. The project will exclusively utilize JinkoSolar’s Tiger Neo 3.0 modules. Upon completion, it will become Kyrgyzstan’s largest PV power plant to date, marking a key breakthrough in diversifying renewable energy sources for this Central Asian nation, which has long relied almost exclusively on hydropower.
Tiger Neo 3.0: Optimizing System Costs and Lifecycle Returns Through High-Efficiency Modules
Kyrgyzstan’s PV market is still in its infancy, and large-scale utility-scale PV projects remain relatively scarce. A 325 MW centralized ground-mounted power plant offers significant economies of scale in the local electricity market, making economic considerations in module selection particularly critical—each module represents a comprehensive trade-off between land resources, BOS costs, and full-lifecycle power generation revenue.
The core value of the Tiger Neo 3.0 in this project is reflected in four quantifiable dimensions:
1. High power output reduces system costs
The Tiger Neo 3.0 has a maximum mass-production power output of 670W and a conversion efficiency of 24.8%. In this project, higher power per module means fewer modules are required for the same installed capacity, which in turn reduces BOS costs—such as mounting structures, pile foundations, cables, and installation labor—thereby directly lowering the initial investment.
2. High bifaciality rate amplifies power generation gains
The Tiger Neo 3.0 boasts a bifaciality rate as high as 85% ± 5%, exceeding the industry standard of 70%–75% for BC modules. The region features abundant sunshine, high atmospheric transparency, and surface reflection conditions that favor power generation from the rear side. This higher bifaciality rate allows the modules to more fully utilize reflected ground light and scattered sky light, increasing the system’s total power generation by 5%–10% and directly boosting the power plant’s revenue.
3. Low-Light Response Boosts Power Generation During Dawn, Dusk, and Cloudy Periods
While sunlight on the plateau is intense, irradiance tends to be weaker during early morning, late afternoon, and cloudy conditions. The Tiger Neo 3.0 features excellent low-light response characteristics, maintaining high power generation efficiency even under low irradiance conditions. Given the region’s significant day-night temperature difference and high proportion of scattered light during cloudy periods, the Tiger Neo 3.0 can more fully utilize light energy in the early morning, evening, and during cloudy weather, converting non-midday light into additional revenue and further increasing the power plant’s annual power generation.
4. Low Degradation Ensures Long-Term Returns
The Tiger Neo 3.0 has a temperature coefficient of -0.26%/°C, with linear degradation as low as 0.35% per year and first-year degradation below 1%. Located on an inland plateau, Kyrgyzstan experiences significant diurnal temperature variations, with hot summers and cold winters, placing higher demands on module temperature stability and long-term reliability. The Tiger Neo 3.0’s low temperature coefficient and industry-leading degradation control ensure the power plant maintains stable and consistent output throughout its 30-year operational lifespan, thereby reducing the owner’s investment risk over the entire lifecycle. Combined with lower system costs and higher total power generation, the Tiger Neo 3.0 achieves continuous optimization of the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE). According to calculations, its LCOE can be reduced by more than 6% compared to BC technology.
From “Water-First” to “Hydropower and Solar in Parallel”: The National Significance of the 325 MW Project
Kyrgyzstan’s power system has long been dominated by hydropower, which accounts for over 90% of the total capacity; fluctuations during dry seasons directly impact energy security. This project covers the entire chain—from power generation, voltage step-up, transmission, to grid connection—and holds landmark significance in the development of large-scale centralized photovoltaic projects in Kyrgyzstan. While enhancing the grid’s capacity to integrate large-scale renewable energy, the project is driving Kyrgyzstan’s transition from a single-source hydropower system to a diversified “hydropower + PV” renewable energy structure. During the construction phase, the project will create jobs, improve infrastructure, and boost the region’s appeal to investors, generating an economic multiplier effect that extends beyond the installed capacity figures themselves. Leveraging the Tiger Neo 3.0 as a cornerstone, JinkoSolar continues to participate in Central Asia’s energy transition, providing high-efficiency module solutions for large-scale PV projects in the region.
