China invalidates First Solar TOPCon patent in major win for JinkoSolar
JinkoSolar has won a key patent invalidation in China against First Solar’s TOPCon-related patent, with the China National Intellectual Property Administration ruling it fully invalid.
Chinese PV Industry Brief: Polysilicon prices remain flat amid supply-demand rebalancing signals
Polysilicon prices stayed flat in China as production and demand moved closer into balance, easing recent supply–demand pressures.
Deye unveils 2.56 kWh hybrid battery for balcony, residential PV
The Chinese manufacturer said the system is designed for easy AC-coupled integration with existing PV systems and scalable expansion up to 7.5 kW three-phase output. The system purportedly delivers 800 W–2.5 kW AC output, supports up to 5.76 kW PV input with 96.5% efficiency.
TCL SunPower launches new shingled TOPCon module series
The new modules feature bifaciality of 85%, an efficiency of up to 24.8%, annual degradation of 0.35%, and a 30-year performance warranty,
Offshore vs. ground-mounted PV
Taiwanese researchers compared a 100 MW ground solar plant with a 181 MW offshore floating PV system and found the offshore setup produced about 12% more electricity over its lifetime. They attribute the gain to cooling and intertidal effects, suggesting offshore floating solar is technically viable, although it is currently around 30% more expensive and still faces durability and marine engineering challenges.
China conducts first experiments for space-based solar power plants
China is advancing the Sun Chasing project to develop space-based solar power systems that collect energy in orbit and beam it wirelessly to Earth or spacecraft for continuous power supply. Early tests demonstrated over 100 m wireless power transmission and efficient microwave beaming to moving targets, with up to 1,180 W delivered and promising system efficiencies.
Bluetti launches new storage systems for balcony PV
Bluetti has launched the Balco 260 and Balco 500, two integrated balcony PV storage systems combining MPPT, inverter, battery storage and smart control in a plug-and-play architecture for urban households.
GCL Technology expands beyond PV with new energy storage business
GCL Technology is expanding into lithium-ion battery storage based on LFP materials as part of a shift toward a “multi-product” new energy platform.
Chinese PV Industry Brief: Daqo, Tongwei, Aiko Solar post Q1 losses
Chinese solar manufacturers reported sharply mixed Q1 results amid ongoing polysilicon and module price pressure, with output increases, weak demand-driven margin compression, and continued net losses.
HY Solar unveils 670 W TOPCon modules with 24.8% efficiency
HY Solar has launched the HT3.0 quad-cut module at its Jiangyin base, marking an upgrade to its n-type portfolio built on TOPCon 3.0 cell technology with up to 27.5% cell efficiency. The manufacturer said the new product features PSP quad-cut architecture, high bifaciality and low degradation.
