Trina Solar, JA Solar, JinkoSolar launch China’s first PV patent pool for TOPCon technologies
China’s solar industry has launched its first TOPCon-focused patent pool, led by Trina Solar, JA Solar, and JinkoSolar, to streamline licensing, reduce disputes, and strengthen IP coordination at home and abroad.
TBEA launches 500 kW string inverter
The new inverter is designed around standardised 5 MW and 5.5 MW PV sub-arrays with the aim to reduce balance-of-system costs. It features a maximum efficiency of 99.0% and a high-voltage architecture of up to 1,600 Vdc and 1,000 Vac.
Tongwei moves into hybrid HJT back-contact solar cell technology
Tongwei is partnering with GS-Solar and Golden Solar to develop a large-scale manufacturing facility for hybrid heterojunction back-contact solar cells that combine HJT passivation, tunneling oxide and polysilicon structures used in TOPCon designs, and the grid-free front-side architecture typical of back-contact technologies.
China’s new five-year plan deepens shift toward focus on renewables system
China’s 2026 to 2030 policy plan elevates clean electricity as a central driver of economic growth, with greater emphasis on system integration and industrial use.
Sigenergy unveils 166 kW inverter for C&I solar
Sigenergy has launched a 166 kW IP66-rated inverter for C&I solar and storage offering nine MPPT trackers and flexible AC/DC connections. The launch coincided with the opening of its Nantong Smart Energy Centre in China, a 136,000 m² facility for R&D, manufacturing, and global delivery.
Aiko launches 545 W back-contact solar module with 25% efficiency
The Chinese manufacturer said its new back-contact module delivers up to 545 W and over 25% efficiency in a compact rooftop format for residential, C&I, and off-grid applications.
Longi launches fire-resistant solar module for rooftop PV
The Chinese manufacturer has launched a fire-resistant version of its Hi-MO X10 module for distributed PV applications, featuring back-contact technology and up to 24.8% efficiency. The company says the module adds enhanced fire-safety design to address rooftop PV risks such as hot spots and DC arcing.
China expects up to 287 GW of new PV capacity additions in 2026
China’s PV industry expects 238 GW to 287 GW of domestic capacity additions in 2026 as it pivots away from volume-led growth after a loss-making year driven by overcapacity and sharp price declines. The shift follows rapid expansion in 2021-25 that lifted cumulative capacity above 1.2 TW, annual additions beyond 300 GW and exports over $180 billion.
JinkoSolar pushes on perovskite-silicon tandem solar with new partnership
JinkoSolar has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with XtalPi, an “AI for Science” platform company, to pursue high-throughput R&D on perovskite-crystalline-silicon tandem solar cells using an AI platform and quantum-physics-based models.
Rising silver prices drive China’s Longi shift to copper-metallised solar cells
China’s Longi says it will begin mass production of base-metal PV modules in the second quarter of 2026 as rising silver prices intensify pressure to reduce metallisation costs.
