By tf-lawyer.com In an interview with industry experts, it was highlighted that the Chinese photovoltaic (PV) industry is accelerating rapidly, driven by the country’s “dual carbon” goals.
During the first half of this year, the production levels across key sectors of China’s PV supply chain experienced significant growth. According to estimates from industry associations, the production of polysilicon, silicon wafers, solar cells, and modules grew by over 30% year-on-year, while the export of PV modules increased by nearly 20%.
Looking at a broader time frame, the annual newly installed capacity of distributed PV in China skyrocketed from 0.8 GW in 2013 to 96.3 GW in 2023—a nearly 120-fold increase. The share of distributed PV within the total newly installed capacity also rose from 6.2% to an impressive 42%.
Technological innovation has played a crucial role in this transformation, as noted by Du Xiangwan, an academician and former vice president of the Chinese Academy of Engineering. He emphasized that the PV industry is a strategic emerging industry for the nation and provides China with an opportunity to compete internationally. According to him, the industry’s journey from insignificance to leadership is largely attributed to advancements in technology.
China currently holds the position of the world’s largest producer and consumer of renewable energy, leading the globe in both wind and solar power installations for many consecutive years. Remarkably, advancements in conversion efficiency and reductions in power generation costs have enabled Chinese PV products to reach over 200 countries and regions, establishing a globally competitive supply chain.
Pan Huimin, Deputy Director of the International Cooperation Department at the National Energy Administration, stated that China has become an indispensable force in the development of clean energy worldwide. The International Renewable Energy Agency reported that, over the past decade, the average cost of electricity from global wind and solar power projects has dropped by more than 60% and 80%, respectively, much of which can be attributed to China’s innovations, manufacturing, and engineering prowess.
The rapid growth of the Chinese PV industry is evident not only in its technological advancements but also in the significant improvements in equipment manufacturing. A white paper titled “China’s Energy Transition” indicates that the country has established a comprehensive R&D and integrated manufacturing system for the wind and PV sectors. Technologies for efficient crystalline silicon and perovskite solar cells have regularly broken world records, with mass-produced advanced crystalline silicon solar cell efficiencies now exceeding 25%.
Furthermore, the domestic PV equipment sector has advanced from low-end to high-end development, with key equipment for polysilicon, silicon wafers, solar cells, and modules largely domestically produced. Customs data shows that China has maintained the world’s highest PV module production for 16 consecutive years, with over 80% of global production capacity in polysilicon, silicon wafers, solar cells, and modules.
Liu Yiyang, Deputy Secretary-General and spokesperson for the China Photovoltaic Industry Association, pointed out that significant achievements have been made across various aspects of PV production, including cells, modules, and silicon wafers. Domestic companies are pushing for further advances in technology, enhancing independent R&D, and consistently increasing production efficiency, positioning China as a leader in the global PV industry.
As the energy landscape evolves rapidly both domestically and internationally, maintaining competitiveness through ongoing innovation and independent research and development has become a shared recognition among Chinese PV companies.
Recently, LONGi Green Energy unveiled its HPBC2.0 technology platform and the new generation distributed module product, Hi-MO X10, in Shanghai. This module boasts superior performance, reliability, yield, and aesthetic appeal, achieving a maximum production power of 670W—surpassing the industry-leading TOPCon modules by over 30W—and setting a record with a mass-produced efficiency of 24.8%.
A representative from LONGi Green Energy explained that Hi-MO X10 embodies crucial breakthroughs in various areas, employing HPBC2.0 technology to surpass battery efficiency barriers. The technology enables mass-produced cells with open-circuit voltages exceeding 745 mV, significantly reducing current losses and elevating conversion efficiency. Moreover, Hi-MO X10 features a new design that enhances both the aesthetic and functional aspects of dual-sided batteries.
Liu Yiyang mentioned that Chinese PV manufacturers have continuously innovated in battery technology, advancing various high-efficiency battery technologies and enabling their large-scale industrialization. By 2023, all top ten companies in the global solar cell segment were Chinese firms, collectively holding 66% of the global capacity with a total output of 681.2 GW.
Despite its growing international influence, the Chinese PV industry faces challenges, including fierce competition and minor imbalances in market supply and demand. Industry analysts indicate that while the sector is experiencing a prosperous cycle, certain structural risks and excess capacities exist.
A representative from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology recognized these challenges but affirmed that they fall within the normal scope of industry development. To address this, they advocate for strengthening top-level design and policy support, guiding technological innovation, enhancing collaboration between departments, and fostering a conducive environment for growth to reinforce the competitiveness of the PV sector.
Lian Tianshi, Co-CEO of the leading domestic company GCL-Poly, reiterated that technological capability and independent innovation are crucial for maintaining resilience and competitiveness in the industry. He noted that GCL-Poly has committed to a high R&D investment, with R&D expenses exceeding 8% in the first half of this year.
Chairman of LONGi Green Energy, Zhong Baoshen, added that the company has invested over 2 billion in R&D over the past seven years. He emphasized that despite challenges such as overseas trade barriers, technological innovation remains vital for the high-quality and sustainable future of the PV industry.
