First Solar pushing capacity expansions on robust demand
April 30, 2021 Email
Capacity utilization had also been improved from 92% to 99%, through March and April 2021, while module manufacturing yield improved from 96.7% to 97.4% in the same timeframe. Image: First Solar
‘Solar Module Super League’ (SMSL) member First Solar hit a nameplate Series 6 CdTe thin film manufacturing capacity of 7.9GW in the first quarter of 2021 after ramping its second and last converted factory in Malaysia.
First Solar has also implemented various cell efficiencies programs, established yield improvements and boosted line throughputs across its fleet of six production facilities (2x US, 2x Malaysia and 2x Vietnam), which are expected to result in an updated nameplate capacity of 10GW from its existing facilities when fully implemented.
PV Tech Briefing: All eyes on Q3 as polysilicon reverberations continue
Polysilicon pricing volatility is being felt across the solar value chain. Image: GCL Poly.
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LONGi sets industry record of 24.53GW of solar module shipments in 2020 Email
LONGi Solar’s external PV module sales in 2020 were 23.96GW, a year-on-year increase of 223.98%. Image: LONGi Solar
‘Solar Module Super League’ (SMSL) member LONGi Solar has reported total PV module shipments of 24.53GW in 2020, setting a new industry shipment record and leapfrogging rivals to become the largest PV manufacturer in the world for the first time.
LONGi Solar’s external PV module sales in 2020 were 23.96GW, a year-on-year increase of 223.98%, while shipments to in-house PV projects made up only 570MW of the total module shipments of 24.53GW.
LONGi Solar had external sales of 6.57GW in the first half-half of the year as the company’s external sales topped 17GW in the second half of 2020.
Canadian Solar to launch heterojunction modules in 2021
Heterojunction cell line at GS Solar, China, Image: GS Solar
‘Solar Module Super League’ (SMSL) member Canadian Solar is planning to launch its first N-type heterojunction (HJ) PV modules in the second half of 2021,
PV Tech can reveal.
The SMSL member noted in financial filings that it had completed the construction of a 250MW pilot line for its PASSCon HJ cell development in late 2020 following several years of R&D development. The pilot line would also include module assembly at the facility in Jiaxing, China.
Canadian Solar inferred that the HJ modules would be high efficiency with the “best technical competence”. This would indicate that cell conversion efficiencies would need to be in range of 25% as other PV manufacturers are targeting similar cell efficiencies.