Modules & Upstream Manufacturing

The Chinese manufacturer said that its new glass-backsheet Windproof module utilises a zinc-aluminum-magnesium surface alloy technology and a high-strength steel substrate. It features a power conversion efficiency of up to 23.03%.

Hard-pressed Asian solar manufacturers have switched from multi-layer polymer backsheets to a single layer of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), with a protective coating on both sides of their modules. Backsheet makers confirm these products, known as “CPC,” are now mainstream. There is little evidence to demonstrate that they can withstand 30 years-plus of outdoor use, however.

The global solar module industry is expected to regain a sustainable balance in the next six months, Yana Hryshko, head of Solar Supply Chain Research for Wood Mackenzie, told pv magazine. She explains why solar module prices may increase soon, suggesting that Tier 1 modules prices could reach USD 0.14/W to USD 0.15/W ($0.22/W to $0.24/W) by the end of this year, and discusses how consolidation is materialising within the global PV industry.

A new survey shows the majority of Australian solar installers are unconcerned what brand solar panels and battery energy storage systems they work with, but they have a clear preference when it comes to inverters.

Winaico says it will start selling 515 W solar modules with 23.2% efficiency in April 2025.

The result was confirmed by China’s National Solar Photovoltaic Product Quality Supervision and Inspection Center. The tandem device is relying on a bottom cell based on a heterojunction design.

Chinese PV company Tongwei originally intended to invest CNY 5 billion ($1.8 billion) to buy a 51% stake in Runergy.

Scientists in Indonesia have investigated early operational defects in a 24.9 MW solar PV system in Sumatra and have identified hotspot formation as the dominant defect. They also detected 282 cases of glass cracking, 350 cases of junction box failures and shading effects linked to module defects.

Construction materials company Boral is trialling the use of crushed glass sourced from end-of-life and damaged solar panels as a partial replacement for natural sand in concrete production.

Radovan Kopecek, an expert on back-contacted (BC) solar cell and module technologies, spoke with pv magazine about BC manufacturing costs, efficiency and technical challenges. He believes that global BC solar module manufacturing capacity could reach 1 TW by 2030, potentially making BC products the industry’s mainstream technology. Kopecek added that 2028 will be a crucial year for its development, as most of the critical patents associated with this module tech will expire.