Current Status of Solar Glass

At present, rough statistics in China indicate that there are only 5 (single crystal silicon) solar cell production plants built, with an annual output of approximately 4.5 megawatts (note: 1 megawatt (MW) is 1000 kilowatts). The factory facilities still remain on the introduced production lines. Many foreign companies have set their sights on the development and production of more advanced thin film crystal solar cells. This new generation of advanced thin film crystal solar cells has a conversion efficiency of up to 18.3%, which is 3 percentage points higher than the current average conversion efficiency. According to industry insiders, the average conversion efficiency of solar cells in China is not high, mainly due to the low degree of localization of specialized materials. For example, packaging glass is completely dependent on imports, and the market for low iron content high transmittance substrate glass still cannot meet demand. Scientific research achievements have not been rapidly and completely transformed into industrial advantages.