Yes It is true that Trina Solar have modules in development with a power output of more than 700W
1. Please tell our readers how Trina Solar’s business has grown in during 2022 and what is the capacity planned for 2023?
A key trend in the global solar industry in recent years has been the introduction of new solar modules that use larger-size solar cells that are 210mm in length. The larger solar cells help the module to deliver more power and higher efficiency. I can’t give you the full year numbers, because we are still tallying the shipment figures, but in 2022’s first three quarters we shipped 28.8GW of modules that use 210mm solar cells. In the same period, the solar industry as a whole shipped 50GW of modules that use 210mm solar cells, so Trina Solar is the clear global market leader when it comes to supplying the latest, high-tech modules to customers; accounting for more than half of global shipments.
We expect to ship even more solar panels this year. Last year and 2021 were difficult times for the whole solar industry because there was an increase in material costs for polysilicon. But that issue is quickly fading because new polysilicon factories have come online.
“This new factory covers almost the entire PV manufacturing chain from polysilicon production to modules based on 210mm and N-type technology.”
Also on 28 June last year, we held a groundbreaking ceremony for a New Energy Industrial Park in Xining, the provincial capital of the central Chinese province of Qinghai. This new factory covers almost the entire PV manufacturing chain from polysilicon production to modules based on 210mm and N-type technology.
The factory will include production lines with an annual output of 300,000 metric tons of industrial silicon, 150,000 metric tons of high-purity polysilicon, 35GW of monosilicon, 10GW of wafer slices, 10GW of cells, 10GW of modules and 15GW of auxiliaries for modules.
The project development is divided into two phases. Phase one, which is due to be completed end of this year, will include an annual output of 100,000 metric tons of industrial silicon, 50,000 metric tons of high-purity polysilicon, 20GW of monosilicon, 5 GW of wafer slices, 5GW of cells, 5GW of modules, and 7.5GW of auxiliaries.
Phase two, which is due to be completed end of 2025, is expected to provide annual output includes 200,000 metric tons of industrial silicon, 100,000 metric tons of high-purity polysilicon, 15GW of monosilicon, 5GW of wafer slices, 5GW of cells, 5GW of modules 5GW, and 7.5GW of auxiliaries.
2. Recently Trina Solar unveiled upgraded version of Vertex S 425 W all-black solar module with 21.3% efficiency, but it’s been targeted for Australian market, is there plan to expand it to other markets as well?
We actually launched the Vertex S All-Black module, also known as the Vertex S Aesthetic module, in November in Australia, Europe and Japan. We are always looking into customer demand on aesthetic modules. Where there are such demand, we will bring this module there.
The new Vertex S All-Black module has power output up to 425W and maximum efficiency of 21.3%. The module comes with extended product warranties.
The Vertex S Aesthetic module is compatible with mainstream optimizers, inverters and mounting systems available in India. The module is also designed to be low in weight, making it easier to handle and install on rooftops.
3. What have been some latest innovations in your product categories and technology?
There is growing market demand for modules that use 210 mm-long wafers, which means the share of the market taken by modules that use the wafers has increased significantly. The larger-size wafers can also incorporate new emerging technologies, such as i-TOPCon or hetero-junction technology (HJT).
Our highest power module currently, that use 210mm cells, is the DE21 Vertex modules series. These modules also incorporate PERC cell technology.
“SuperTrack’s Smart Tracking algorithm enhances energy generation by up to 3% to 8%. “
We have also released an innovative smart control system, SuperTrack. When compared to typical tracking algorithms, SuperTrack’s Smart Tracking algorithm enhances energy generation by up to 3% to 8%. SuperTrack combines Smart Tracking (STA) and Smart Backtracking (SBA) algorithms to improve energy output, especially in cloudy weather with high diffuse irradiance and difficult, uneven terrain.
Other technologies that we apply to our modules include high-density encapsulation technology, to maximize the module’s surface area; non-destructive cutting, so the cells have ultra-smooth edges; and multi-busbar technology for greater light absorption.
4. Recently Trina solar jointly launched “Clean Energy for Earth” Global Campaign, can you share in details about the campaign and how is Trina Solar instrumental?
Trina Solar has joined the global Science-Based Targets initiative to help limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C and contribute to the progress of the PV industry. Trina Solar has also worked with WWF China to initiate the “Clean Energy for Earth” campaign, a non-profit sub-project of Earth Hour. “Clean Energy for Earth” is a new campaign launched in China during Earth Hour 2022, the most influential public environmental protection program in the world.
Following the theme “Shape Our Future with Clean Energy”, the campaign aims to mobilize organizations and individuals to pay attention to climate change and encourage people to use clean energy to contribute to a net-zero future.
Trina Solar was one of three organizations in China that spear-headed the campaign. The other two were the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products (CCCME) and the Shenzhen One Planet Foundation.
5. Chairman Gao Jifan recently said n-type modules reaching critical point of cost-effectiveness, can you share in numbers how many of these modules have been shipped, which are the markets where you see n-type modules taking off and what numbers are expected in next 5 years?
Trina Solar is committed to technical innovation and continues to lead the industry with n-type technology. August last year the company once again broke a world record by setting the aperture module efficiency of Vertex n-type module at 24.24%.
“More than 10 GW of n-type modules capacity is expected to be released by the end 2023’s first quarter.”
The new generation of Vertex N modules entered mass production end of last year. We said at the time that more than 10 GW of n-type modules capacity is expected to be released by the end 2023’s first quarter, and 20GW to 30GW of capacity is expected to have been put on the market by the end of 2023.
6. According to reports Trina Solar is working on modules exceeding 700W, can you share in detail of the module, market size, and their availability?
It is true we have modules in development with a power output of more than 700W but for commercial confidentiality reasons, I am unable to disclose details of the technology or the business plan we have for these new products in development.
“These leading technologies coupled with the use of 210mm-long wafers allow the modules to deliver lower BOS cost and LCOE.”
We have available in the market today the DE21 Vertex, a module with a power output of up to 670W and maximum efficiency of 21.6%. This high-tech module uses PERC cell, multi-busbar and high-density encapsulation.
These leading technologies coupled with the use of 210mm-long wafers allow the modules to deliver lower balance of system (BOS) cost and lower levelised cost of energy (LCOE), especially for customers in the utility, commercial and industrial segments.
7. The aim to create A Net-Zero World has helped renewable energy accrued enough lime light and it still deserves more but one thing that is remaining out of focus when we talk of renewable energy is the afterlife of these solar panels! There are lot of reports that says that afterlife of these solar panels will create environmental havoc as an e-waste, so as one of the biggest solar manufacturer are you looking into these aspect seriously or planning to dive in recycling segment of these solar panels as no one knows the solar panels, cells and modules better then you do?
Many companies have not considered the problem of compliant disposal of scrapped PV modules which end product life cycle. As a responsible company, Trina Solar actively undertakes the responsibility to ensure compliant disposal of waste PV products. Trina Solar strictly abides by the e-waste management laws and regulations of the countries in which it operates, and proactively pushes for the recycling and reuse of waste electronic products.
Trina Solar always focuses on extended producer and has become a part of the non-profit organization PV CYCLE (European Photovoltaic Module Take-back and Recycling Organization) founded in 2007. PV CYCLE is committed to centralizing and customizing services for the recycling of global waste photovoltaic products.
“Trina Solar Japan joined in the Glass Recycling Committee of Japan (GRCJ)”
Another example is Trina Solar Japan joined in the Glass Recycling Committee of Japan (GRCJ). The core members of GRCJ consist of associations and companies who promote the reuse of waste glass. The GRCJ was established for the promotion of recycling PV modules, especially the recycling of waste glass. The recycling process includes collection, transportation, disassembly, sorting, separation and glass production of waste modules. Glass and cell scraps are mainly separated and collected by smashing and gravity separation. Glass scraps can be used as raw materials for building materials and ceramics industry. The metal component of cell scraps will be recycled and reused by specialized metal recycling companies.
8. As one of the biggest manufacturer and industry player how you are offsetting carbon footprint when it comes to production and how is these manufacturing units of Trina Solar are powered?
China has vowed that its carbon emissions will peak before 2030 and the country will achieve carbon neutrality before 2060. Trina Solar’s technology is integral to helping the nation achieve these goals.
As a world-leading module supplier, Trina Solar attaches great importance to controlling carbon emissions as well as providing high-performance products. We are delivering green energy and solar products to our global customers and further reducing carbon emissions throughout the life cycle of solar power plants, and in doing so taking care of our planet.
“Saving a total of 9.1250 million Kw hand 8,400 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year.”
Trina Solar, for example, implemented energy-saving and carbon reduction projects in 2021, saving a total of 9.1250 million Kw hand 8,400 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year.
Inside our factories, there is certain equipment that generates heat when in operation. To prevent the equipment from overheating, it needs to be kept cool. We use heat exchangers that are naturally cooled using cold water that is pumped in from outside. When the water temperature surpasses the vacuum pump’s acceptable temperature range, the chilled water valve will open to let more cool water in, reducing the water temperature.
Another example will be the phase-two project at our Yiwu facility. The phase-two project includes an air tower that increases air circulation from outside into the factory. Using cool air from outside to reduce the temperature inside the factory, reduces the need for air conditioning and refrigeration.
9. Do we see more manufacturing plant of Trina Solar outside China, what are the countries in the list and what is the roadmap of the company for this year?
Trina Solar has been expanding rapidly over the past few years. We have already opened factories in Thailand and Vietnam that produce cells and modules. We also just announced that we will expand our manufacturing presence in Vietnam even further with the development of a new wafer manufacturing plant that will meet the needs of our US customers.
“We know that every country wants to have their own solar module manufacturing plant, but this is simply unfeasible because to drive down manufacturing costs.”
As for new factories in specific countries, it will depend on the market demand and needs of the ever-changing market. We will also need to consider whether the country has sufficient logistics and supply chain to meet our manufacturing and transportation needs. We know that every country wants to have their own solar module manufacturing plant, but this is simply unfeasible because to drive down manufacturing costs, you need to achieve ‘economies of scale’. We encourage countries and companies to be part of the solar industry’s global supply chain. There is great economic value to be gained from being part of a global supply chain. And when you talk about manufacturing, you are referring to final product assembly. But the final product assembly is actually a very small fraction of the product’s total value. There is more value to be gained by being a provider of the materials and components that go into making solar modules.