One of the world’s leading solar photovoltaic modules manufacturer JA Solar will also be a major participant in a technology demonstration project being undertaken by the Chinese government.
Last month, JA Solar announced that it will supply 420 MW of solar PV modules for the ‘Front Runner’ programme – a technology demonstrator launched by the Chinese government to promote the development of advanced solar PV technology.
According to a press release issued by the Nasdaq-listed company, the first phase of the this programme shall see installation of 950 MW capacity, thus putting JA Solar’s share at 44%.
The first phase consists of a GW-scale solar power capacity which shall include 13 individual solar power projects. The solar power park shall be located in Datong, Shanxi province. With a total investment of $1.6 billion, the park is expected to generate 1.5 billion kWh of electricity and offset 480,000 tons of coal consumption every year.
JA Solar will be one of the investors and developers of the individual projects in the solar power park and will use 50 MW modules. The balance 370 MW panels will be supplied to 6 companies that will also develop projects within the solar power park; these include the likes of China Three Gorges Corporation, China Huadian Corporation, China Power Investment Corporation, and China Guangdong Nuclear Power Group.
The National Energy Administration in China has set high standards for the use of modules in the ‘Front Runner’ programme. Among the various technical parameters the modules must meet is that the conversion efficiency of polycrystalline and monocrystalline modules must exceed 16.5% and 17%, respectively.