Chinese PV Industry Brief: Aiko Solar starts making back contact PV panels
Aiko Solar has started production at its Jinan factory, its third facility for n-type all-back-contact solar modules. The plant is designed for 30 GW of solar cell and panel capacity, with the first 10 GW phase set to reach full output by late 2025.
World’s largest compressed air energy storage facility commences full operation in China
A 300 MW compressed air energy storage (CAES) power station utilizing two underground salt caverns in central China’s Hubei Province was successfully connected to the grid at full capacity, making it the largest operating project of the kind in the world.
Chinese scientists design hybrid heat pump providing ultra-high temperature heating at 180 C
The proposed system uses waste heat by thermally coupling a water lithium bromide absorption heat transformer with a water vapor compression heat
pump. It reportedly achieved a temperature elevation of up to 110 C and ultra-high temperature heating of up to 180 C.
World’s largest pumped storage power plant fully operational in China
The plant features 12 reversible pump-turbine units, each with a capacity of 300 MW, including two variable-speed units, bringing the total installed capacity to 3.6 GW.
Phnix releases PV-ready heat pumps for commercial buildings
The Chinese manufacturer said the latest version of its Phnix HeatMaster heat pump series enables seamless integration with PV arrays. The systems have a coefficient of performance of up to 5 and can reach an outlet water temperature of 75 C.
Chinese PV Industry Brief: China Huadian launches 18 GW inverter tender
China Huadian Corp. has launched an 18 GW inverter procurement tender seeking string inverters 300 kW and above, with 1,500 V DC input voltage and 10% overload capacity. Bidding starts on Feb. 6, 2025.
GCL SI enters back contact business with 660 W solar module
Chinese module maker GCL SI has expanded into back contact (BC) solar cell production with its first 660 W BC module, featuring tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) technology.
Storing photovoltaic-thermal energy with volcanic tuff stones
Scientists in China have used ground heat exchangers based on volcanic tuff stones to improve storage capabilities and efficiency of photovoltaic-thermal systems. Their experiments showed that the proposed combination effectively improves PV module cooling and thermal efficiency.
Trina Solar sets world record for solar module efficiency at 25.44%
Trina Solar has set a world record for solar module efficiency at 25.44%, verified independently by the CalLab at Fraunhofer ISE.
JinkoSolar sues Longi for TOPCon patent infringement
JinkoSolar has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Longi over tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) solar cell technology, with the first hearing scheduled for Feb. 13, 2025.
