News: Photovoltaics
9 January 2020
JinkoSolar partners with Shanghai Institute of Space Power-Sources
Solar module manufacturer JinkoSolar Holding Co Ltd of Shanghai, China (which has more than 15,000 staff across seven production facilities worldwide) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Shanghai Institute of Space Power-Sources (SISP) to co-develop high-efficiency solar cell technology for both space and terrestrial applications. Innovators and engineers from both sides will co-develop space-based photovoltaic cells with a more efficient, low-cost, robust silicon wafer as the supporting bottom substrate and bottom cell.
Taking advantage of using inexpensive silicon wafers, the high-efficiency solar technology is easy to manufacture at large scale but can achieve a higher solar energy conversion rate. Also, as well as having the much lower degradation required for next-generation solar cells in space, it also has a more robust and rugged design. Due to its unprecedented efficiencies, it could also be used in other applications such as auxiliary power units in vehicles, solar roof tiles, power plants, and smart grid systems. This is an early-stage technology requiring additional development, but the partnership between two firms will fuel much needed development, it is expected.
“In the future, we will continue to increase technical cooperation, leading our industry in the name of technical innovation and providing more efficient solar panels with a wider range of choices for global customers,” says JinkoSolar vice president Dr Jin Hao.
