The company also announced the latest technological advances by its “Ocean Solar Power Technology Joint Research and Development Center”, a collaboration with Ocean University of China, which attracted great attention from both attendees and industry experts.
Mr. Chu went on to share insights on Quanwei Technology's heterojunction technology, capacity planning, market strategy, and annual goals.
What products stood out at this year's PV Expo Japan?
Chu Yifan: In addition to our main product, the high-efficiency HJT bifacial dual-glass module “Quan,” we also sell the independently developed “Orca XII” series module.
The Quanyao 595 series is primarily designed for residential, commercial and industrial rooftops and features a 120-cell layout with 585W production power and 595W peak power. It combines aesthetic appeal with ease of installation due to its light weight thanks to the use of ultra-thin glass, and it also passes fire class A and IP68 tests.
The compact Quanyao 110W PV rooftop product features PVB encapsulation for enhanced impact resistance and safety, and can be customized to meet specific building and PV standards, including fire resistance, waterproofing, and heat dissipation. .
Our in-house developed Orca series, with a 132-cell layout and 710W production power, is primarily aimed at marine PV applications and is highly adaptable to difficult environments.
Its introduction in Japan is being driven by severe land scarcity faced by many Asian coastal countries, resulting in a shift towards the use of marine resources.
The Orca series has been certified by TÜV SÜD with a maximum power capability of 742.7W.
What other new technological advances has Quanwei brought to the show?
We are particularly excited to present the latest advances from the Joint Research and Development Center for Marine Solar Power Technologies. This is a joint study with China's Ocean University, and our research and development center studies the long-term ecological impact of marine solar power plants on the surrounding environment and preventive and remedial measures.
We are about to officially roll out our innovative offshore solar farm system. It combines the latest environmentally friendly materials developed by our company with HJT offshore solar power generation technology. Quanwei's efficient HJT modules installed on the water surface can maximize the use of solar energy for power generation while maintaining a suitable ecological environment for fish growth in the water.
To date, initial models of this system have been applied to China's sturgeon sector along the Yangtze River basin, where the need for water resources is extremely high.
We take incorporating environmental protection into our innovative products very seriously. This system adheres to the principles of zero emissions and pollution-free operation while ensuring the efficiency of solar power generation, and is able to maintain and simulate the optimal ecological environment for sturgeon breeding and reproduction.
The launch of this system will not only alleviate the problem of lack of available land, but also promote clean energy development while ensuring and increasing the productivity of inland freshwater and marine fisheries.
Could you tell us a little more about the company's module manufacturing capabilities and its progress in mass production? What production capacity are you aiming to achieve by the end of this year?
Quanwei has always considered technological innovation to be one of the core competitiveness. The development of our HJT technology is based on mass production capabilities, and scalable technology ensures that both cell efficiency and module power are achieved. We are committed to diversifying our presence in the heterojunction field and exploring a number of cutting-edge technology routes, including HJT, HBC, perovskite, and tandem structures, to drive rapid advancements and upgrades in the industry. I'm here.
We have made great strides in module manufacturing. With our soon-to-be operational site in Anhui province and our already operational factory in Shandong province, we have a total of 20 GW of HJT module production, 10 GW of HJT cell production, and additional production for energy storage and silicon wafer slicing. It has a planned production capacity including capacity. Our mass production is progressing well, and continuous optimization of our production processes and technological innovations allow us to meet market demands and remain competitive.
Additionally, our HJT capabilities will be further expanded as our Anhui location is scheduled to begin operations soon. At that point, Quanwei will become the world's largest supplier of his HJT capacity, meeting the growing demand for high-efficiency products around the world.
What high-efficiency cell modules does Quanwei have in reserve? How do they perform in terms of efficiency and output? What achievements have you made in terms of increasing efficiency and reducing costs?
Our company has carried out research and development in various fields, such as ultra-thin silicon wafer, silver coated copper paste, wide bandgap window layer, composite TCO film development, full open back plate printing, super reflective film, etc., and has achieved great success. I did. .
Following the mass shipment of 710W modules (peak power 730W) in August last year, our newly developed offshore “Orca XII” series of 210mm size 132 cell dual glass high efficiency HJT modules has passed the certification test conducted by TÜV. did. Adopts SÜD and can achieve peak power of up to 742.7W.
In terms of performance, our double-sided double-glazed modules also have advantages. The front side captures direct sunlight to generate electricity, while the back side absorbs reflected light from the background and scattered light from the surroundings to generate electricity. Empirical data shows that under ideal conditions, this configuration increases the module's power production by 20% to 30%.
Through technological innovation and optimized production processes, we continually improve the energy efficiency of our products and reduce costs. We are committed to providing cost-effective solutions to our customers by increasing the conversion efficiency and power output of our modules, thereby reducing the cost per watt of power generated.
What do you think about the Japanese market? What is Quanwei's position in Japan?
The Japanese market is known for its high demands on solar power technologies and products, especially in terms of efficiency and environmental friendliness.
In July 2021, Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry announced the draft of the Sixth Basic Energy Plan, raising the 2030 emission reduction target from 26% to 46%, with the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. I did. A fixed (premium) subsidy policy (FIP, feed-in tariff) will be introduced for “competitive” power sources such as METI large-scale solar power plants. For this reason, we consider the Japanese market to be important and promising.
Furthermore, Japan ranks fourth in the world in cumulative installations. Since 2016, the country's annual solar power installation capacity has maintained a stable growth of 7-8 GW, with a stable growth rate of approximately 13% from 2018 to 2020, indicating that the market is relatively It shows maturity.
Therefore, we consider Japan to be one of our key markets in the Asia-Pacific region. The company is committed to providing innovative solutions and technologically advanced products that meet the unique land resource conditions and energy transition needs of many Asian countries, including Japan.
Has Quanwei operated in the Japanese market before? What are the next steps for expansion here?
Prior to this exhibition, the company has already expanded into other Asia-Pacific countries such as Thailand, and has cooperated and discussed HJT products with other countries in the region. Japan has great business opportunities and challenges, and our expansion into Japan is a strategic move to expand our footprint in Asia.
As one of the early adopters of solar power technology, Japan has mature research and development capabilities and strong industrial policies. Its comprehensive sales channels and network allow us to promote our products nationally and even around the world through partnerships and e-commerce platforms.
What is the outlook for the solar power market this year? What are Quanwei's development goals such as sales and shipment volume in 2024?
The outlook for this year's market can be predicted from several perspectives. Globally, the demand for renewable energy continues to increase. Events such as California Governor Newsom's visit to China and the China-America Sister Cities Conference are laying a solid foundation for cooperation, especially in the field of new energy, and creating great opportunities for the global solar power market. In countries like Japan that are committed to carbon neutrality, demand for high-efficiency solar power generation products is expected to increase.
Regarding specific industry policies, as the Japanese government moves from FIT to FIP, Quanwei Technology is well-positioned to achieve great success here. Considering the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's goals of 100GW by 2030 and 300GW by 2050, Japan is certainly expected to experience sustained growth over the next few years.
In summary, Quanwei's 2024 development goals will focus on the following areas:
1. Market expansion: Since the beginning of this year, we have been actively collaborating with industry partners and have received positive responses. Our goal is to leverage established sales channels and partnerships to promote our products both within Japan and internationally.
2. Strengthening production capacity: The future reduction of our Anhui production base with production bases in Zaozhuang City, Shandong Province, and Liuxian City will establish our company as a major supplier in the world's HJT field.
3. Innovation: We will continue to invest in research and development to drive innovation, increase product efficiency and reduce costs, thereby strengthening our market competitiveness. Anhui's research institutions will be led by respected experts and will focus on developing technologies that support cost reduction, efficiency improvement, and talent development.
4. Continuous cost reduction and efficiency improvements: 2024 is a pivotal year for the HJT industry, and we are gearing up for it. We focus on industry-wide solutions, quality control, technological advancements, and project efficiency management.
2024 brings both opportunities and challenges for HJT product suppliers. It is important to increase the value of high-quality products within cost and resource constraints. Quanwei Technology is committed to providing cost-effective products and services, promoting sustainable and efficient industry development, and laying a solid foundation for international market expansion.