China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) has allocated RMB500 million (US$78.1 million) for the incentive scheme for residential PV in 2021. Chinese electronic engineer TBEA is set to raise its controlling stake in polysilicon manufacturer Xinte Energy as it attempts to fund a planned 100,000-tons-per-year fab in Inner Mongolia.

Such a decision, which industry body the CPIA is adamant has already been announced, could make all the difference to investors struggling with a surge in equipment costs fueled by the polysilicon shortage. The all-important National Energy Administration, however, has yet to confirm whether the CPIA’s interpretation is correct.

Moreover, Linyang Energy announced a plan to build a 10 GWh lithium-ion battery manufacturing facility in Qidong city, Jiangsu province. Chinese state-owned lender China Development Bank (CDB) has allocated RMB500 billion in special loans to support projects in the energy sector to help China reach its decarbonization targets

With the solar industry already seeing prices rise because of a shortage of panel raw material polysilicon, an explosion yesterday at the factory of a silicon metal
and silicone producer in Xinjiang could have further repercussions on supply. No casualties have been reported.

The technology company and inverter maker has created a new unit to operate in the renewables and e-mobility sectors. Elsewhere, China’s largest e-commerce company, JD.Com, has signed an agreement with the world’s biggest wind company, GoldWind, to establish a renewables joint venture.

The metal wrap-through-focused module maker revealed its M series at the SNEC solar conference in Shanghai, claiming a bifacial rate of up to 70%.

The two brands announced a strategic project at the SNEC solar conference and trade show which will see the establishment of trading and big data centers to help roll-out PV in China.

The first day of the world’s biggest solar trade show and conference saw new PV products and strategic agreements unveiled by some of the biggest names in the industry. pv magazine China reporter Vincent Shaw and photographer Dave Tacon were on the ground to catch up with the companies and bring you the latest solar news from Shanghai, China.

GCL-Poly will provide JA Solar with 148,000 metric tons of polysilicon over the next five years. Tongwei produced its first 210mm PERC cell at its Jintang factory.

Longi has raised its wafer prices for June and the China Nonferrous Metals Association has reported this week that polysilicon reached a price of RMB200-210 per kg, and that the highest price exceeded RMB230 per kg.