Larger wafer size increases the area exposed to light, increasing power and reducing cost
Image: LONGi receives over 2GW of orders for Hi-MO4 module with M6 wafers. Photo: courtesy of andreas160578 from Pixabay.
“By end 2020, LONGi will upgrade its existing cell and module lines and transform them for production with 166mm wafer. New lines – such as the 5GW monocrystalline cell line in Yinchuan, will be designed for the 166mm size from the start,” said Wang Yingge, Head of Global marketing, LONGi Solar, “The order books for LONGi’s Hi-MO4 modules using M6 monocrystalline silicon wafers have exceeded 2GW. Large-scale production will commence the third quarter of 2019.”
Larger wafer size increases the area exposed to light, increasing power and reducing cost. “Existing crystal drawing and slicing equipment are compatible with 166mm size silicon wafer. The costs of production equipment for cell and module are lower and easier to achieve. “Calculated by ‘flux’,the production line using 166mm wafer will increase capacity by 13% as compared with the 156mm size,” said Professor Shen Wenzhong, Director, Solar Energy Research Institute of Shanghai Jiaotong University.
LONGi announced the price of its M6 monocrystalline silicon wafer in May 2019 at 3.47 RMB/piece, which is only a minimal 0.4 RMB premium compared to its M2 wafer. The compatibility of wafer production lines with M6 would ensure large-scale supply in 2019, thereby reducing the price differential to less than 0.2 RMB, Wang Yingge said.
Source: Company Press Release