Major China-based polysilicon producer Daqo New Energy has signed a three-year high-purity polysilicon supply agreement with Zhonghuan Semiconductor (TZS), totalling 41,000MT.
Large-wafer size producer Tianjin Zhonghuan Semiconductor (TZS) is to build a new 50GW 210mm (G12) mono-wafer manufacturing hub in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region at a cost of around RMB12 Billion (US$1.86 billion).
The announcement from Tongwei on 10 August disclosing new cell price rises was a surprise for the whole PV industry. Compared to its previous quote on 24 July, the price of poly cells rose by another 6 USD cents/W, with a further increase of 8 cents/W for 156.75mm, 158.75mm and 166mm mono cells.
A total of seven China-based PV manufacturers have officially started efforts to establish a new ‘M10’ (182mm x 182mm p-type monocrystalline) large-area wafer size standard to reduce manufacturing costs throughout the entire solar industry supply chain as the number of large-area wafer sizes have emerged in the last few years.
Reshuffle of company assets comes as firm braces for Q2 2020 slowdown as it lines up funding support, with idled factories set for a gradual return to activity.
With the spin-off of most of its solar cell and PV module manufacturing operations to new entity Maxeon Solar Technologies (MXT) expected in Q2 2019, SunPower shed new light on the planned capacity expansions of the new offspring in its fourth quarter earnings call.
‘Solar Module Super League’ (SMSL) member, Trina Solar has started producing PV modules using the largest wafer size (210mm x 210mm) technically possible today with multiple other features to provide 500W-plus modules.
The US-headquartered high-efficiency solar panel maker is to spin off most of its manufacturing operations into a separate public listed entity, Maxeon Solar, which will include monocrystalline silicon wafer producer, Tianjin Zhonghuan Semiconductor (TZS) as an investor.
