JA Solar says its new module DesertBlue is optimized to work better in extreme desert environments
The manufacturer claims its anti-dust nanocoating enables reduction of dust adhesion and 32% less transmittance loss, thus extending module life
With natural wind to assist in surface cleaning, it says these modules can lower cleaning OpEx
The module comes with 650 W output and 24% efficiency
JA Solar expects strong demand in China, the Middle East, and Africa as developers seek solutions for desert-based solar projects
China-headquartered leading solar PV manufacturer JA Solar has launched a new module with up to 650 W output, specifically targeting desert and semi-arid regions. The module has also reportedly passed TÜV Rheinland’s stringent test conditions simulating the desert environment.
The PV panel can withstand dust, heat, and high winds, says the manufacturer, which are pet peeves for developers in the desert environment. On the electrical front, it is rated for 24% efficiency and 650 W of power.
The DesertBlue module features an anti-dust nanocoating with dense microstructures and antistatic properties, which reduce dust adhesion and allow natural wind to assist in surface cleaning. The company claims these properties help ensure a 32% reduction in transmittance losses, thus extending module life by up to 5 years. The module is also resilient to the abrasive conditions due to sandstorms, it adds, which could lead to up to 14% losses. The module is claimed to operate 5°C cooler than a standard module, resulting in an optimized temperature coefficient of 0.28%/°C, which improves the power yield, for example, by 0.6% at 85°C module temperature.
According to JA Solar, the module also features a reinforced frame that can withstand 6,000 Pa front/4,000 Pa rear loads.
With these features, the DesertBlue module promises to bring down cleaning OpEx by up to $0.98 million over 25 years for a large-scale project, while not specifying the size.
“By directly addressing the unique challenges of desert deployment, we enable customers worldwide to unlock the full potential of renewable energy in regions considered too hostile for large-scale solar PV projects,” said JA Solar’s Executive President, Yang Aiqing.
Tested and certified by TÜV SÜD, the DesertBlue module is reported to have endured simulated harsh desert operating conditions, including UV exposure, thermal cycling and sand abrasion. The module meets LC2-level sand resistance and durability under 11,000 robotic cleaning cycles with a sand load of 110 kg/m², which led to only 1% power degradation. As a result, it was named the world’s first ‘Desert Module’ by TÜV SÜD, emphasizes JA Solar.
This module adds to the growing portfolio of multi-scenario applications as manufacturers increasingly customize their offerings for specific needs, including floating solar and agrivoltaics, among others.
JA Solar expects demand for its DesertBlue module to grow as developers in China, the Middle East, and Africa seek suitable products for the vast stretches of desert land in these geographies that are now being used for large-scale desert-based solar bases.
At the TaiyangNews and SNEC Solar Leadership Conversations 2025 at SNEC 2025, JA Solar CTO Dr. Ouyang Zi discussed the company’s all-scenario application approach, tailoring TOPCon solar modules for 10 distinct scenarios (see SNEC 2025 Exclusive: Interview With JA Solar CTO Dr. Ouyang ZI).
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