In a webinar conducted by EQ International, the panelists discussed the manufacturing ecosystem in India
Powered by JA Solar, EQ Magazine organized a webinar on ‘Next-Gen Solar Panels & Its Impact On LCOE’ on October 27, 2021. JA Solar presented a detailed introduction on DeepBlue 3.0 module based on 182mm wafers to provide customers better solutions for lower LCOE.
The webinar was focused on solar technology improvements in terms of efficiency and cost-effectiveness, as well as the impact on LCOE reduction. Speakers also shared their views on manufacturing in India and discussed the requirements for the manufacturing ecosystem.
The main focus was to provide a better understanding of other clean solar key products, which are premium designs for the solar farm from a design perspective. The webinar was moderated by Goutam Samanta, Head PV Technology- Juniper Green Energy. The panelists included Xuepeng Sun, Technical Manager- JA Solar; Ritu Lal, Senior Vice President and Head, Institutional Relation- Amplus Solar; Amresh Mahajan- VP (technology/ QA/EHS)- O2 Power Private Ltd; and Vijaykumar Shimpi, Chief-procurement- Tata Power Solar.
JA Solar produces high-performance PV products, persisting on the belief of customer focus. Incorporating high efficiency, reliability, and environmental friendliness, the company launched DeepBlue 3.0 modules with Lower LCOE but creates more customer value. DeepBlue 3.0 adopts 182 mm large sizing wafers, which bring higher power generation benefits.
Enlightening about JA Solar DeepBlue 3.0 (premium solution for best LCOE) Xuepeng Sun, Technical Manager- JA Solar, informed about the design idea, technical highlights, and value analysis of the product. He noted that DeepBlue 3.0 was awarded “Energy Yield Simulation AQM Award 2020-Monofacial Mono Group, and TUV Nord Outdoor Yield Performance Awards.
DeepBlue 3.0 Key Technologies includes upgraded PERC technology with a better long-wavelength spectral response and low-irradiation properties. It has a lower temperature co-efficiency. The cell and module substructure is fully upgraded, accompanying the extra 2-3 per cent power generation performance.
He further informed about the upgraded premium cell, M10 (182 mm) Ga-doped wafer, Half-cell technology, Multi-bus bar technology, and Round ribbon. He said, “Bus bar pattern makes current transmission distance shorter, makes the resistance cost lower and enhances higher energy yield. Besides, it also reduces the risk of cell cracks and broken fingers on modules.”
“Round ribbons improve optical utilization and module power. Especially, it can get better performance at the oblique incidence… 11 bus bar design and thinner ribbon reduce stress effects and improve reliability. It enhances durability under temperature and loads fluctuation,” he added.
Summarizing the benefits of DeepBlue 3.0 solar modules, he said, “Currently, this type of module is available for order… It has a lower temperature coefficient, higher low light performance…” He further stated about DeepBlue 3.0 Pro.
“The power of these modules can be increased by about 10W, the efficiency can be increased around 0.4 per cent. We also perform the long-time reliability test… Based on LCOE evaluation with DeepBlue 3.0 product, we reduce by 5-7 per cent LCOE, which is a very high number,” he added.
JA Solar is strictly dedicated to the quality of its products. The company attempts to provide the best products for customers with a spirit of craftsmanship in each process. DeepBlue 3.0 integrates the refined manufacturing processes, leading-edge technologies, and advanced devices of the company.
Manufacturing in India is picking up. Ritu Lal, Senior Vice President, and Head, Institutional Relation- Amplus Solar, shared her views in terms of opportunities and challenges related to manufacturing. She said, “It is (going) very fast in terms of technology and innovation space. It is very agile. From a developer’s point of view, the larger the supply base, the easier it becomes for me. If capacities are going up, it is very good for the buyer. Higher capacities would mean greater competition…”
She further spoke on competitiveness and reliability in terms of supply availability, quality, and service. “If about 10, 12, 15, or 20 GW is going to come up as manufacturing in this country, it is going to take a couple of years to set up… It is great that facilities are coming up. Those setting up these facilities also understand that they do not just have to make a product that meets the Indian requirements… From technology, R&D, innovation, servicing, cost, and quality, across all these parameters, the equation has to be globally competitive…”
Concluding her speech, she said, “For us in India, and for everyone in the world, we need to understand what the end goal is. The end goal is clean, green, and sustainable energy production that reduces global emissions. That is the overriding goal where we all have to be on the same page…”
Amresh Mahajan- VP (technology/ QA/EHS)- O2 Power Private Ltd, highlighted the points that need consideration in terms of manufacturing. He informed, “We have 25-30 GW potential manufacturing lines coming up. Any manufacturing inside the country is a welcome step… We have seen manufacturing happening in India…”
Sharing his experience, he said, “Whatever we have made has sustained on slot of time as well as different environments. In no way, it was inferior to what we get from Europe or China. In a way, in small capacities also, we have maintained the kind of reliability that was required for a solar panel.”
“Indian manufacturing has exceeded the expectations in terms of reliability. We have the same expectations from the upcoming lines… In addition to the overall manufacturing, we are lagging in two things. Number 1 is the backward integration. To date, we have seen only from cell manufacturing, module manufacturing, inverter manufacturing… We should also start focusing on toolset…”
“We should also look at the manufacturing of the key equipment that will be a double boost. Single boost is the manufacturing of the panels with a backward supply chain. And the second boost will be the manufacturing of equipment,” he added.
On the reliability aspect, he said that the overall evolution of the lab culture has to come up. “We also need to develop our own standards…” Concluding his address, he said, focus on equipment manufacturing, confidence in the large-scale manufacturing in terms of cells and modules, confidence on backward supply chain, focus on labs and R&D centers, and long-term reliability testing will help the Indian industry.
Vijaykumar Shimpi, Chief- Procurement- Tata Power Solar, shared his views on the development of the ecosystem that is required for domestic demand. “There is tremendous potential for renewable energy… India is implementing 175 GW in the first phase and 375 GW in the next phase. There are ample opportunities for everyone… We have a bright green future ahead.”
Talking about the manufacturing ecosystem, he added, “After the government’s policy initiative, many companies have approached for the PLI scheme, and more than 60 GW capacity was bid. With this catalytic change, I am sure that a very good amount of manufacturing facilities (are) coming up in India… This ecosystem has to be developed. We need to have all the A-class atoms to be manufactured in India… We need a robust ecosystem to make this manufacturing successful.” The session concluded with the question and answer round.
