Jieyang Zhongcheng's model ZCM5-72P-200W solar panel module with 72 monocrystalline cells has 200W maximum power and about 16 percent efficiency.

Manufacturers complement expansion with sustained product upgrades. Polycrystalline types dominate supply.

Shift emphasis to new markets is reinvigorating China’s solar panel module industry, resulting in improving turnout and overseas shipment volume. The strategy is relieving the problem of overcapacity, which is an offshoot of the anti-dumping and -subsidy measures implemented in the EU and the US. In 1H14, local output hit 15.5GW, jumping nearly 35 percent from the same period in the previous year. Exports climbed to 9.5GW, surpassing 2013’s median level. Based on the yield projection for 2014 and compared with the preceding year, the country’s 11 percent growth will exceed the global rate by 3 percent.

Fueling this development is the rise in solar PV installations in Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America, a trend driven by falling prices. By end-2014, the worldwide market for such systems is forecast to reach 41.1GW from 32.2GW the year earlier. In 2020, it will be 145.8GW, posting 24 percent CAGR from 2010.

China suppliers continue to enhance their products by updating technology, equipment and components used. At present, they are waiting for the release of more-advanced local solar cells to elevate module efficiency further. Poly- and monocrystalline types of the component have 17 or 18 percent and 18.7 to 19.2 percent ratings. Factoring in efficiency loss, modules based on them deliver 15.7 and 16.6 percent. With more developments upstream, makers are confident of realizing 16.5 percent in polycrystalline modules and 17.7 percent in mono varieties by 2017.

The selection in mainland China consists of crystalline-silicon and thin-film types, with the former representing more than 90 percent of turnout. In the first category, polycrystalline variants dominate yield. These have 70 percent share of Seasun New Energy Co. Ltd’s output, between 60 and 70 percent at Jieyang Zhongcheng Group Co. Ltd and 50 percent at Wuhu Zhongfu PV Co. Ltd.

Monocrystalline modules are expected to increase steadily worldwide because of declining solar cell costs. In 2015, production of the latter is forecast to grow at a faster rate than its counterpart, according to NPD Solarbuzz.

Thin-film modules, on the other hand, have been on a downtrend, with global output share estimated at 8.9 percent by the end of 2014 from 9.4 percent the previous year, said NPD Solarbuzz. At present, only Hanergy offers the kind in China.

Rebounding exports

The mainland’s deliveries of solar panel modules abroad have picked up in 1H14 as manufacturers began targeting Asia as the prime destination in 2013. The region represented more than 45 percent of export value that year, while Europe’s share dropped to 30 percent from about 67 percent in 2012 and North America accounted for 14 percent.

By mid-2014, exports totaled $6.6 billion, with Japan bringing in nearly $2.4 billion, the US $1.35 billion and Europe $1.34 billion. Combined, these areas generated about 77 percent of the mainland’s international business. In 2012, the first had 7 percent only of the value.

Based on gigawatt terms, the first two markets absorbed 3.5 and 2GW, with the rest split among the Netherlands, the UK, Australia, India, South Africa, Taiwan, Belgium and Chile.

The mainland is the world’s largest manufacturing base for solar panel modules, with an output share surpassing 60 percent. The maker pool shrank by 10 percent due to industry consolidation, and now has about 150 companies with an aggregate annual production capacity of more than 40GW. Yingli Green Energy, Trina Solar, Canadian Solar, JinkoSolar, Renesola and JA Solar are among the leading homegrown players.

More than 40 percent of the suppliers are in the provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Hebei.
The first contributes 18.6GW to the mainland’s yearly capacity, Zhejiang 6.4GW and Hebei 3.2GW. In 1H14, these areas respectively churned out 7, 2.57 and 1.4GW.

1 to 350W selection

Solar panel modules from the mainland come in 1 to 350W units, with average efficiency of 15.7 percent for polycrystalline kinds and 16.6 percent for mono rivals.

Products typically adopt 3.2mm high-transmission low-iron tempered glass, EVA laminate and water-resistant Tedlar-polyester-Tedlar backsheet. TPE is an option in the last. Models have corrosion-resistant anodized aluminum frames. Junction boxes are made of engineering plastic such as ABS and polyphenylene oxide, and usually have an IP65 rating.

Companies source components and materials locally. Their major suppliers of solar cells include Suntech, Yingli Solar, Trina Solar and JA Solar.

Makers forecast stable prices in 2015 despite the higher labor outlay and yuan appreciation.

Related reports:
Solar cells: R&D, manufacture focus on thin-film types
Solar & wind turbines: Lead-acid, lithium batteries form China's power storage bid

Product gallery

Boviet Solar Technology Co. Ltd
(Vietnam)

Model: BVM6610P 2
Description: Polycrystalline; 250W; 30.1V maximum power, 37.5V open-circuit voltage; 8.3A maximum power, 8.9A short-circuit current; low light-, potential induced degradation; Tedlar-polyester-Tedlar substrate; EVA encapsulation; tempered glass; anodized aluminum frame; MC4 connectors; 164x99.2x4cm ; 19kg; CE, MCS, TÜV, UL

Jieyang Zhongcheng Group Co. Ltd
(China)

Model: ZCM5-72P-200W
MOQ: 100 units
Delivery: 10 days
Description: Monocrystalline , 72 125x125mm cells; 200W maximum power, ±3% tolerance; 37.1V maximum power, 45.4V open-circuit voltage; 5.4A maximum, 5.7A short-circuit current; 1,000VDC maximum system voltage; 15.7% efficiency; white polyester backsheet; EVA encapsulation; 3.2mm tempered glass; anodized aluminum alloy frame; 158x80.8x3.5cm; CE, IEC, TÜV

Ningbo Komaes Solar Technology Co. Ltd
(China)

Model: KM(P)150
Description: Polycrystalline, 36 156x156mm cells; 150W maximum power, ±5% tolerance; 18.3V maximum power, 21.9V open-circuit voltage; 8.2A maximum, 8.9A short-circuit current; 1,000VDC maximum system voltage; 14.9% module efficiency; -0.47%/C temperature coefficient of power, -0.35%/C open-circuit voltage, 0.05%/C short-circuit current; 47±2 C nominal operating cell temperature; -40 to 85 C operating temperature; 3.2mm tempered glass; TÜV-approved IP65-rated junction box; cable; 148x68x3.5cm; 11.6kg

Seasun New Energy Co. Ltd
(China)

Model: HY6-72-325M
MOQ: 100 units
Delivery: 10 days
Description: Monocrystalline; 325W; 5W maximum positive power tolerance; up to 19% cell efficiency; 3,800Pa wind, 5,400Pa snow withstand pressure; 3-busbar design; IP67-rated junction box; CE, IEC 61215, IEC 61730, JET, VDE; 25-year output, 10-year workmanship warranty

Wuhu Zhongfu PV Co. Ltd
(China)

Model: ZF250-60P-B (CCTNC)-1-1
MOQ: 100 units
Delivery: 15 days
Description: Polycrystalline, 60 156x156mm cells; 300W maximum power, ±3% tolerance; 30.7V maximum power, 38.6V open-circuit voltage; 8.2A maximum power, 8.58A short-circuit current; 1,000V maximum system voltage; tempered low-iron glass; anodized aluminum alloy frame; -40 to 85 C operating temperature; IP65-rated junction box; 165x99.2x4cm; 19kg

Zhejiang Long Chi Technology Co. Ltd
(China)

Model: ZJLC-100W
Description: Polycrystalline; 3 to 5% power output tolerance; 0.2% cell efficiency; 5,400Pa mechanical loading; UV-resistant; >91.6% glass light transmission; Tedlar-polyester-Tedlar substrate; anodized aluminum frame; IP65-rated junction box; CE, RoHS, TÜV