Recently, at Tongwei Global Innovation R&D Center in Shuangliu District, Chengdu, machines hummed softly and steadily in the T5 Laboratory of the Photovoltaic Testing Center. Inside the lab, reporters saw Tongwei's TNC photovoltaic modules undergoing dozens of different reliability tests, including hail impact, mechanical load, UV exposure, salt spray, hot spot, high-low temperature, humidity freeze, and damp heat coupled environmental stress testing.

"The T5 Photovoltaic Testing Center Laboratory is just one component of the Advanced Photovoltaic Device Pilot Platform," Xing Guoqiang, Chief Technology Officer for Photovoltaics at Tongwei Co., Ltd., told reporters. Relying on the Tongwei Global Innovation R&D Center, the platform has established six major R&D workshops from T1 to T6 and supporting laboratories. It possesses an industry-leading gigawatt-level heterojunction (HJT) pilot line, the world's largest intelligent module reliability laboratory, and integrated R&D workshops.

Not long ago, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology released the first list of 21 national-level manufacturing pilot platforms. Tongwei's "Advanced Photovoltaic Device Pilot Platform" was successfully selected, becoming the only platform in the photovoltaic industry to receive this national-level recognition. This also marks the establishment of a national-level manufacturing pilot platform in Sichuan Province.

Xing Guoqiang, Chief Technology Officer for PV at Tongwei Co., Ltd.

In an exclusive interview with Chuanguan News reporters

1

Comprehensiveness of Platform's Technology Pathways:

Not Betting on a Single Technology, Providing a "Proving Ground" for the Industry's Future

When visiting the Advanced PV Device Pilot Test Platform, what first impressed the reporter was the scale of the pilot park: its supporting facilities cover an area of 68,000 square meters, equivalent to about 10 standard football fields. The reporter couldn't help but wonder: what is the purpose of building such a large-scale pilot test platform?

"The platform has already established five pilot lines for TOPCon, heterojunction with copper interconnect, perovskite/crystalline silicon tandem, XBC, and modules, along with one pilot testing service platform. It provides comprehensive services covering key segments of the solar industry chain, including solar cell and module R&D, pilot-scale verification, product inspection and testing. It also houses a CNAS-accredited module reliability laboratory and an outdoor module demonstration base, fully supporting the R&D and industrial application of mainstream and cutting-edge technologies," Xing Guoqiang told the reporter. Whether it's gigawatt-level equipment verification for large equipment suppliers or sample testing for small material suppliers, the platform can provide matching professional services.

Advanced PV Device Pilot Test Platform

Having clarified the capabilities of the Advanced PV Device Pilot Test Platform, another question arises: this selection was conducted nationwide, and succeeding from over 2,400 manufacturing pilot platforms is a challenge akin to being "one in a hundred." So, what sets this platform apart?

"Firstly, it's because of the comprehensiveness of the platform's technology pathways," Xing Guoqiang told the reporter. The platform does not bet on a single technology but can accommodate the parallel R&D of almost all mainstream and cutting-edge technologies, including TOPCon, BC, HJT, perovskite/crystalline silicon tandem, and more.

This layout stems from practical needs. Currently, the PV industry is undergoing a phase of diversified technology pathway development. Uncertainty remains about which technology will become mainstream, as each has its own advantages in different application scenarios.

For the PV industry, the Advanced Photovoltaic Device Pilot Test Platform precisely provides a "proving ground" for this uncertainty. "No matter which technology pathway ultimately prevails in the future, the platform can quickly upgrade, swiftly follow up, and become a high ground for the R&D and verification of that technology," Xing said.

Tongwei Global Innovation R&D Center

2

Promoting Industry Technological Progress and Industrial Upgrading:

Building a Pilot Ecosystem, Driving Collaborative Industry Chain Development

Beyond its complete layout capability covering the photovoltaic technology innovation chain from R&D to industrial application, Xing Guoqiang mentioned another reason: the platform possesses comprehensive capabilities for pilot-scale verification in the photovoltaic field covering "core materials - advanced devices - key equipment." It has built an ecosystem of "pilot + R&D + incubation + investment + application scenarios," driving the collaborative development of the entire industry chain upstream and downstream.

It is noteworthy that the 21 pilot platforms selected for this first national list are not only internationally advanced in technology but are also entrusted with greater expectations from the industry: to drive integrated improvement of regional and industrial pilot test capabilities and help promote the application of major national independent innovation products.

So, how does the Advanced Photovoltaic Device Pilot Test Platform perform in promoting industry technological progress and industrial upgrading? During the visit, a set of data caught the reporter's attention: in 2024, the platform served a cumulative total of 65 enterprises and conducted over 170 pilot service projects. In terms of promoting the transformation of achievements, the platform successfully facilitated the development and transformation of industry-critical core technologies such as "908 Module Thermally Conductive Adhesive Technology" and "Full-Size Perovskite-Heterojunction Tandem Solar Cells."

"This open pilot test platform is not only the 'scout' and 'vanguard' of our company's technology strategy, but also an important base for us to conduct joint development and innovation with partners across the industry chain. It helps disseminate our own technical standards throughout the entire supply chain and enhances the overall level of the industry chain," Xing said.

He also mentioned that the platform's next steps will focus on supporting pilot equipment upgrades and frontier technology exploration, while improving open sharing mechanisms, expanding pilot test service scope, optimizing the "pilot test+" ecosystem, deepening joint R&D verification and testing service cooperation with upstream and downstream enterprises, opening CNAS-accredited laboratory resources, promoting equipment localization, and ultimately radiating and driving the entire industry.