International News Briefs- Solarcycle, China’s Solar Bankruptcies, Tongwei’s HJT Modules

China’s Solar Bankruptcy Provide Proof Of Pain From Low Prices

With over 40 manufacturers boasting of GW plus manufacturing facilities, China’s solar juggernaut has screeched to a halt in the past year, at least on the manufacturing side. Overcapacity has plagued the sector, leading to crash in prices and the pain is showing. Even as the top firms like Longi, Jinko Solar, Trina, Tongwei seem strong enough to weather the storm, a number of smaller and weaker firms have not been so lucky.  Reports of bankruptcies are going up, with at least 12 tracked since July 2024. The number is set to go up especially for firms that started business post 2022-23, as they simply haven’t had the benefit of a healthy market to recover costs. From Polysilicon to modules, the price crash has spared no firm in the sector with well over 200 firms at least count.

The challenge has spread to many storage firms as well, as falling battery prices have also hurt many firms. Buffeted by over capacity, falling demand in many markets, and tariff barriers that have sprung up in key markets, while the larger firms have found ways to manage with overseas production for instance, smaller local firms look set to suffer more before a recovery starts next year, as widely hoped for. A strong domestic market has provided some, but not enough relief, as price competition remains high offering very poor margins.

Solarcycle to Setup 5 GW Solar Recycling Plant

Solarcyle, which since its launch in 2022 has emerged as a key part of the solar ecosystem in the US, is set to open a third plant in the state of Georgia. With a capacity of recycling 5GW of solar panels, or the plant will start with recycling 2 million panels annually, Solarcycle predicts this plant will be capable of handling 20-30% of panels that come up for recycling by 2030. Solarcycle claims to be able to recycle 95% of solar panels, unlike other firms in the business that it says can only reach upto 50% levels. Expected to be ready by 2025, the new plant is also optimised for C-Si Bifacial panels. The company also announced the addition of Microsoft to its roster of investors during the announcement of the new plant.

Tongwei Buttresses HJT credentials with 25% Efficiency

Integrated solar manufacturers Tongwei, which moved into making and selling modules relatively late in 2022, has announced that it has achieved conversion efficiency levels of 24.9% on HJT modules manufactured by it. The modules, with an output of 776 W, are the first HJT modules to cross a power output level of 775 W, claims the firm.

Tongwei’s push into HJT modules is further indication of the much wider adoption of HJT modules by manufacturers, holding out hopes for a narrowing of the price difference between HJT and C-Si Perc modules. Tongwei has a very strong manufacturing pedigree with vast experience in cell making as well, which should go some way in helping it lower HJT module costs. Huasun is the major HJT module maker in China, and has had a particularly strong run in the past year year with its 10GW plus capacity at hand.