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Inventory of the latest progress of leading perovskite cell companies in 2022: Microquanta, GCL, UtmoLight, CATL, Huaneng, Renshine, Hangxiao Steel Structure, SolarPlant, Jolywood, Trina, Boamax, the

2022-11-15

Perovskite Solar Cell Academic and Industrialization Forum 2022 will be held virtually through Zoom on line.

● Simultaneous interpretation from Chinese to English will be available.


Perovskite cells are the next generation photovoltaic power generation technology with great potential and are rapidly coming to market. The challenges faced by perovskite cells are mainly stability and large-scale manufacturing, as well as the improvement of relevant test standards and test technology. Full-perovskite tandem cells, as well as perovskite and HJT or TOPCon tandem cells, are expected to achieve efficiencies of more than 30% in the near future.


In 2022, China's perovskite and tandem solar cell technology R&D and commercial application will progress rapidly. As a leading research institution in the PV industry, ASIACHEM sorted out the latest progress of head perovskite and tandem cell enterprises in 2022 is as follows:


Microquanta - the world's first commercial perovskite module α successfully delivered

 

On May 20th 2022, Microquanta launched the world's first commercial-sized perovskite module α. The module adopts the solution printing technology independently developed by Microquanta. It has the characteristics of high power, good stability, low temperature coefficient, small hot spot effect, and not easy to crack. It can be guaranteed for 12 years of product material and process warranty as well as 25 years of linear power output warranty.

 

On July 28th 2022, Microquanta held a delivery ceremony for the first batch of α modules in Quzhou, Zhejiang Province. The number of shipments this time was 5,000 pieces for industrial and commercial distributed perovskite power plants in the province.

 

In September 2022, the efficiency of the Microquanta perovskite solar module under steady continuous output was increased to 21.8%, @19.35cm2. The module submitted for inspection is different from the conventional perovskite module. It uses a cheap metal electrode structure, and does not use precious metals.

 

In October 2022, Microquanta completed round D financing. This round of financing is led by CMB International and Hangkai Group, and the funds will be mainly used for the development of advanced perovskite technology and the expansion of GW-grade production line, and accelerate the layout of the second phase of perovskite commercialization.

 

According to the company's official website, Microquanta has built the first domestic perovskite industrial base in Quzhou, Zhejiang, with a pilot line capacity of 20MW. The world's first 100MW perovskite production line has been completed and put into operation in early 2022. In February, the world's first perovskite centralized photovoltaic ground-based power station was built, with an installed capacity of 12MW.

 

GCL - Assisted Zhangjiakou SDC, bringing large-area modules into real application scenarios for the first time

 

During the 2022 Winter Olympics, the project Y perovskite hut using GCL 1m*2m large-scale perovskite modules was unveiled in Zhangjiakou.

 

In May 2022, GCL announced the completion of a series B financing of hundreds of millions of yuan, led by a well-known domestic institution, and Light House served as the financial advisor. The financing will be used to further improve the company's 100MW perovskite production line and process.

 

At present, the world's largest perovskite module with a size of 1m × 2m produced by GCL has been offline. The world's first 100MW mass production line has completed the construction of the plant and main hardware in Kunshan. It is planned to be put into mass production in 2023. It is expected that after the process and production capacity are stabilized, the photoelectric conversion efficiency of mass-produced module products will exceed 18%. In the future, the efficiency of perovskite modules is expected to further improve to more than 25%. GCL believes that perovskite modules are about to surpass the current mainstream crystalline silicon modules in terms of power generation and the cost of per kilowatt. The next generation of PV cells has reached a critical point for mass production and application.

 

UtmoLight - 756cm2 large-size perovskite module efficiency creates a new world record

 

On April 9th 2022, after being tested and certified by NIM, the R&D team of UtmoLight has created a new world record of 18.2% conversion efficiency on the 300cm² large-size perovskite photovoltaic module (SubModule). This is another major breakthrough after the company achieved 20.5% certification efficiency on 63.98cm² modules last year.

 

On April 18th 2022, the signing ceremony of Daye new energy project was held in Daye, Hubei province with the Daye Municipal People's government and intelligent technology. Daye new energy project has an installed capacity of 2.8GW and a total investment of about 12billion yuan.

 

On August 16th 2022, the project of the UtmoLight Global Headquarters and Perovskite Innovation Industry Base was officially signed and settled in Xishan. The total investment of the project is 3 billion yuan. It is planned to build the world's first GW-level perovskite photovoltaic module and BIPV product production line, 100t perovskite quantum dot production line, global innovation center and headquarters building.

 

In October 2022, it was tested and certified by the international authority JET, the conversion efficiency of 756cm² large-sized perovskite photovoltaic modules reaches 18.2%.

 

The world's largest 150MW perovskite photovoltaic module production line invested and constructed by UtmoLight has started trial production, and the world's first GW perovskite photovoltaic production line has been signed and settled in Wuxi, and will start construction in early 2023.

 

Tongwei - Comprehensive research and development of full-back contact technology and perovskite/silicon tandem cell technology

 

According to Tongwei's 2021 annual report, Tongwei has established a PV technology center on the basis of the scientific research system of various business sectors, and established a scientific research and technology team dominated by industry experts to comprehensively promote the technological R&D and technological integration of all links of the PV industry chain. In 2021, Tongwei PV Technology Center focused on the cross-segment linking, integration during the mass production, introduction of new technologies, new products (such as TOPCon, HJT), strive to deepen industry-university-research cooperation with domestic and foreign universities and other scientific research institutions, to further strengthen the follow-up, R&D of cross-generation technologies and cutting-edge technologies in the industry (including HBC, perovskite, tandem cells/modules, PV + energy storage and other technologies).

 

On July 27th 2022, Tongwei stated on the interactive platform that in terms of solar cell technology, the company has fully launched the R&D of cutting-edge cell technologies such as full-back contact technology and perovskite/silicon tandem cell technology.

 

Lingda - the third phase to build HJT perovskite tandem cell project

 

On November 11th 2021, Lingda announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary GeriSolar plans to build a 10GW high-efficiency PV cell capacity. The project is divided into three phases. The first phase has completed and put into operation a 3GW high-efficiency PERC crystalline silicon cell project; the second phase plans to invest in the construction of a 5GW 210/182 TOPCon cell smart factory; the third phase plans to build a HJT perovskite tandem cell project.

 

On June 21st 2022, Lingda stated on the interactive platform that the company's perovskite cell technology is still in the research, demonstration and planning stage.

 

Jolywood - invests in the research and development of key technologies for perovskite/TOPCon tandem cells

 

According to Jolywood's 2021 annual report, in order to develop a new generation of high-efficiency tandem cell technology, deploy next-generation products in advance, and enhance the company's competitiveness. Jolywood has invested in the R&D of key technologies for perovskite/TOPCon tandem cells to achieve a positive efficiency greater than 26% target.

 

On June 29th 2022, when answering questions from investors on the interactive platform, Jolywood said that the company's perovskite crystalline silicon tandem cell research and development project is in progress. At this stage, the focus is on the bottom layer that matches the perovskite cell.

 

Huaneng - China's first working group on perovskite standards was established

 

On June 26th 2022, the CEC Standardization Management Center held an expert review meeting to discuss and approve the CEC "Perovskite Photovoltaic Modules" standard draft prepared by Huaneng Qingneng Institute. "Perovskite Photovoltaic Modules" is the first general technical standard for perovskite photovoltaic modules in China, and it has important symbolic significance in promoting the industrialization and application of perovskite photovoltaics.

 

Huaneng Group is the first energy company engaged in the R&D of perovskite technology. After several years of hard work, it has mastered the whole process of preparation technology from laboratory cells, micro modules to pilot modules. The third-generation line-level pilot modules jointly developed by Huaneng have reached the international leading level in key technical indicators such as conversion efficiency and module size.

 

On October 27th 2022, China's first special working group on perovskite standards was officially announced to be established. Huaneng Qingneng Institute was the leader of the special working group, and Zhao Zhiguo, deputy director of the photovoltaic department of Qingneng Institute, was the leader of the group. At present, the perovskite working group has 34 companies and 53 members. Member units include power generation and production enterprises such as CHN Energy, CNNC, Huadian, Beijing University of Technology, Changzhou University, South China University of Technology, SolarPlant, Microquanta, Perovs, UtmoLight, GCL, Longi, and Changshu CanadianSolar.

 

Renshine Solar - full-perovskite tandem cells with a steady-state certified efficiency of up to 28%

 

In June 2022, Renshine Solar announced that the steady-state certified efficiency of full-perovskite tandem cells is as high as 28%. In addition, it has achieved a certified 21.7%efficiency of full-perovskite tandem cell modules through industrialized preparation technology.

 

On August 26th 2022, Renshine officially announced the completion of hundreds of millions of yuan of Pre-A round financing, which was led by three banks of capital. The raised funds are mainly used for the implementation of the 150MW perovskite module mass production line.

 

On October 9th 2022, Renshine Solar's new generation high-efficiency photovoltaic cell series project was signed and settled in Changshu Economic Development Zone. The total investment of the project is 1 billion yuan. The first phase of the project is to build a 150MW third generation photovoltaic cell automation production line. The project simultaneously introduces three major equipment projects of the industrial chain, namely, Precision System intelligent equipment, material packaging vacuum drying equipment and Lecheng Laser, with a total investment of 500 million yuan.

 

In October 2022, through the authoritative certification of JET in Japan, the steady-state efficiency of the all perovskite tandem cell module developed by Renshine Solar Energy team reached 24.50% (area 20.25cm2), far exceeding the perovskite single junction module.

 

SolarPlant - Inspecting the site selection of "pilot test line"

 

In August 2021, SolarPlant Technology, a perovskite PV company invested by the Hillhouse Climate Change Investment Team in the carbon neutral field, completed tens of millions of Series A financing. SolarPlant perovskite/crystalline silicon tandem photovoltaic technology can be deeply combined with crystalline silicon technology to break through the industrialized photoelectric conversion efficiency limit of traditional single-junction solar cells and further reduce the cost of PV power generation.

 

The company established a laboratory in 2017 and completed the trial production of small-area devices. Laboratory efficiency has been maintained at the top 3 level in the world. The company plans to start construction of the pilot plant in the second half of 2022 and put it into use by the end of 2023. In July 2022, the project team of Beijing SolarPlant Technology went to Zhongguancun Tongzhou Park to inspect the site selection of the "pilot test line".

 

CATL - Research on perovskite photovoltaic cells is progressing smoothly, and a pilot line is being built

 

On May 5th 2022, Zeng Yuqun, chairman of CATL, said at the performance briefing that the company's research on perovskite photovoltaic cells is progressing smoothly and a pilot test line is being built. This is also the first time that CATL has disclosed this news.

 

On October 18th 2022, the invention patent of "perovskite solar cell preparation method and electrical equipment" of CATL was published. It marks that the CATL has officially entered the field of solar cells!

 

Hangxiao Steel Structure - the first pilot test line of crystalline silicon thin film + perovskite tandem cell will be put into production by the end of 2022

 

On July 6th 2022, Hangxiao Steel Structure stated on the interactive platform that its subsidiary Hete plans to put into operation the first pilot line of crystalline silicon thin film + perovskite tandem cells by the end of 2022, with a target conversion efficiency of more than 28%. This field is the company's new exploration in the field of BIPV green building materials and solar cell technology. The related technology is a major innovation and breakthrough at the level of photovoltaic cells, and there are still some uncertainties in the future.

 

Trina Solar - perovskite/crystalline silicon two-terminal tandem solar cells target efficiency greater than 29%

 

On April 28th 2022, Trina released the "2021 Annual Report". The annual report information shows that in terms of research projects, Trina is carrying out research on the design and preparation of tandem solar cells at both ends of perovskite/crystalline silicon. Progress or staged achievements include participating in national key research technologies, focusing on research on high-efficiency N-type TOPCon/perovskite tandem cells and high-efficiency HJT/perovskite tandem cells, completing perovskite research reports and completing the construction of stability testing systems. The goal to be achieved: the efficiency of the perovskite/crystalline silicon two-terminal tandem solar cell is greater than 29%.

 

Boamax - Layout of 100MW perovskite cell or perovskite HJT tandem cell production line

 

On August 30th 2022, Boamax announced that the company planned to sign the Project Cooperation Framework Agreement with Peng Jun, a distinguished professor and doctoral supervisor of Suzhou University, and Yang Xinbo to cooperate in the development of perovskite solar cells, perovskite silicon tandem solar cells and production equipment to promote the industrialization of perovskite photovoltaic technology. According to the agreement, both parties will subsequently set up a project company. The project company shall give priority to the research and development of perovskite solar cell and perovskite HJT tandem cell technologies.

 

Both parties agreed to complete the process planning, technical path design and overall construction of the "100MW perovskite cell or perovskite HJT tandem cell production line" in the next 2 years, and complete the construction of GW-level stable mass production line in the next 3 years.

 

Photocrystal - millions of angel rounds of financing completed

 

In August 2022, Guangdong Photocrystal completed tens of millions of angel rounds of financing. This round of financing was led by Zhengxuan Investment, followed by Sinovation Ventures and Dingxiang Capital, and Guangzhi Capital acted as the exclusive financial adviser for this round of financing. Founded at the end of May 2022, Photocrystal Energy is committed to the R&D and mass production of large area perovskite solar cell modules with high efficiency and long life.

 

Huasun - has a research and development platform for mass production of perovskite/HJT tandem cells

 

According to the WeChat official account information of Huasun, Huasun as the first enterprise in the industry to layout single-sided microcrystalline, double-sided microcrystalline, HBC, copper electroplating, HJT/perovskite tandem cell R&D, has a clear process route and development plan for tandem cell. The goal is to achieve a G12 HJT perovskite crystalline silicon tandem cell efficiency of 30% and G12-132 module power of 840W+ by 2025.

 

At present, Huasun has a R&D platform for mass production of perovskite/HJT tandem cells, and has successfully achieved the uniform preparation of large area of perovskite deposits with M6 size. It has also achieved initial results in the layout of relevant intellectual property rights.