JA Solar presented its DesertBlue module design at the TaiyangNews conference, addressing challenges specific to desert, Gobi, and wasteland PV installations
The DesertBlue module incorporates self-cleaning, antistatic microstructured glass and steel frames to reduce dust adhesion, improve abrasion resistance, and increase mechanical load tolerance
Based on JA Solar’s TOPCon platform and derived from the DeepBlue 4.0 Pro design, DesertBlue modules reach power ratings of up to 650 W, with efficiency reaching 24%
Scenario-driven applications have become a central part of PV product development, as projects increasingly demand solutions adapted to specific environmental conditions rather than standard module designs. In response, JA Solar has developed a portfolio of differentiated products for floating and offshore systems, extreme cold regions, high-load and typhoon-prone areas, hot-humid environments, anti-glare installations, and desert and dusty regions.
In fact, the product specifically developed for the last on the above list of scenarios – desert and dusty – was the point of focus of the presentation from Francesco Liuzza, Senior Technical Sales Engineer at JA Solar, at the TaiyangNews Advanced Solar Module Applications 2025 conference. His presentation, titled Designing Solar Modules for Extreme Desert Conditions, focused on how sand, dust, wind, and high operating temperatures affect module performance, reliability, and lifetime economics, and how these challenges are being addressed.
According to Liuzza, JA Solar follows a structured development path that combines laboratory accelerated aging tests with long-term field validation. For desert applications, solutions are developed through material selection, bill-of-materials optimization, and dedicated reliability testing. He stated that these internal evaluations form the basis for final module design and mass-production readiness.
JA Solar states its desert PV solutions draw on deployment experience across China, the Middle East, North Africa, the United States, Mexico, Chile, Australia, and arid or dusty regions in Europe. These environments expose modules to simultaneous stress from sand, wind, and heat.
Dust and sand particles, typically ranging from 10 to 100 µm in size, accumulate on module surfaces, reducing light transmission. Company data indicate that sand and dust buildup can result in power generation losses exceeding 30%. Continuous accumulation also increases the risk of hotspot formation and accelerates coating wear, with glass surface abrasion reducing coating lifespan by more than 32%.
Desert regions, such as the Gobi Desert, present challenges, including high wind and operating temperatures, which induce mechanical stress that, in turn, can cause deformation, hidden cell cracks, and structural damage, ultimately resulting in lower power output. In addition, elevated operating temperatures further reduce power output by up to 18% compared with standard test conditions at 25°C. Together, these factors can increase operation and maintenance costs by up to 50% compared with non-desert PV power stations.
JA Solar says its DesertBlue module series is specially designed to be compatible with these conditions. The product series uses the company’s TOPCon cell platform and is based on its DeepBlue 4.0 Pro design for hot and dry climates.
The module features up to 650 W of power in standard formats, with dimensions of 2,382 × 1,134 mm and module efficiencies of up to 24%. It adds that the module’s temperature coefficient of -0.28%/°C helps provide a more stable output under elevated operating temperatures.
The DesertBlue module uses a microstructured glass combined with antistatic materials to reduce dust adhesion, enabling wind to remove dust particles. JA Solar also claims up to 32% lower light transmittance decay than regular glass. Liuzza added that the coating also demonstrates enhanced hardness, scratch resistance, and corrosion resistance, extending film lifespan by 3 to 5 years.
JA Solar has adopted steel frames for these modules to address wind loading and mechanical stress. It states that steel provides higher surface strength and improved resistance to deformation under wind pressure and vibration. Tests conducted showed no cracking, scratching, or red rust on the frame due to sand and dust erosion.
The company claims the steel frame increases module load capacity by more than 60% and improves material strength by over 130%. It adds that improved thermal expansion compatibility between steel and glass helps reduce stress during large diurnal temperature fluctuations.
In his presentation, Liuzza stated that DesertBlue modules have completed desert-specific reliability testing focused on sand abrasion. Tests conducted under IEC 60068-2-68-LC2 conditions, with sand densities of 5 g/m³/h and wind speeds of 15-20 m/s, showed no visible surface wear, power degradation below 1%, or internal damage affecting contacts or heat dissipation.
From an operational perspective, the DesertBlue design is said to reduce cleaning frequency from 4 times per year to 2. During the conference, Liuzza also presented field test data for DesertBlue modules. Results showed a 4.49% increase in power generation at the Mengneng test site in the Ulan Buh Desert and a 7.09% increase at the Fengxian Base under simulated high-dust conditions. In both cases, the modules were installed at a 38° tilt angle, and no manual cleaning was performed during the test periods.
Besides JA Solar, several leading PV manufacturers resented their latest solutions at the TaiyangNews Advanced Solar Module Applications 2025 conference. These presentations can be accessed at the TaiyangNews YouTube channel here.
