JinkoSolar Halts Silicon Solar Component Expansion Amid Oversupply

JinkoSolar

Chinese solar giant pauses growth after massive ramp-up in recent years

Oversupply Forces JinkoSolar to Pause Capacity Expansion

JinkoSolar has announced a halt to its wafer and module capacity expansion plans for 2025 due to global oversupply. The Chinese manufacturer will maintain current capacities: 120GW for wafers and 130GW for modules through the end of the year. Meanwhile, the company will cut cell capacity to 95GW by shutting down outdated facilities, down from 110GW in 2024.

In 2024, Jinko ramped up capacity dramatically — increasing wafers from 75GW and modules from 90GW in 2023. However, as other solar manufacturers pursued similar growth strategies, supply rapidly outpaced demand. Now Jinko is adopting a cautious stance and focusing only on upgrading to TOPCon (tunnel oxide passivated contact) technology.

TOPCon Technology Leads Product Shift

JinkoSolar’s strategic focus is now on TOPCon-based n-type cells, which offer higher efficiency and a pricing premium. N-type modules made up 90% of Jinko's 2024 shipments, indicating the shift away from traditional p-type modules. Chairman and CEO Li Xiande stated that no further capacity expansion will occur beyond technological upgrades in 2025.

Despite a softer Q1 outlook — with estimated shipments of 16–18GW, down from 19.99GW last year — Jinko still expects to ship 85–100GW of modules this year. The firm continues to supply over 50% of its output to the Chinese market, where module demand rose 28% to 277GW in 2024. However, price declines across the supply chain pressured profits despite record installations.

Global Diversification and Regional Focus

Overseas markets remain a key priority for Jinko, particularly the US and Middle East. Its 2GW production facility in the US is running near full capacity, serving strong demand for n-type modules. The company is also constructing a new manufacturing site in Saudi Arabia, scheduled to begin operations in late 2026.

As global solar adoption increases, manufacturers face the challenge of balancing capacity with demand volatility. JinkoSolar’s pivot toward high-efficiency technology and geographical diversification reflects its response to changing market dynamics.

The Metalnomist Commentary

JinkoSolar's shift from aggressive expansion to strategic consolidation highlights the maturing phase of global solar manufacturing. As price pressure intensifies, the race is no longer just about scale, but also efficiency, regional balance, and technological leadership.

India's Pahal Solar Expands Solar Module Capacity with New 1 GW/yr Plant

Indian photovoltaic module manufacturer Pahal Solar is gearing up to launch a new 1 GW/yr solar module plant in Olpad, Surat by the end of August. This expansion will boost the company's total production capacity to 1.8 GW/yr.

The new facility's construction is nearing completion, with expectations to finish by late August. Commercial production will begin soon after, a company representative told Metalnomist.

Pahal Solar's current 800 MW/yr plant produces advanced n-type tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) modules and bifacial and mono passivated emitter and rear cell (PERC) modules. The new plant will primarily focus on manufacturing TOPCon solar modules, aligning with the industry trend towards this technology.

Indian solar manufacturers are increasingly adopting TOPCon technology due to its higher efficiency and greater energy yield over its lifespan compared to traditional PERC technology. This shift is expected to enhance the performance and reliability of solar modules.

The demand for solar panels in India is projected to rise, driven by the government's strong push for green energy solutions. Solar panels, which require materials like silicon, are a key part of this transition to low-emission energy technologies.

Additionally, Pahal Solar is considering establishing a manufacturing plant in South Africa, although details on the timeline and capacity have yet to be disclosed. This move highlights the company's ambition to expand its global presence in the solar energy market.

By adopting advanced technology and expanding its production capacity, Pahal Solar is set to play a crucial role in supporting India’s renewable energy goals.

First Solar Secures US TOPCon Patent

US-based solar module manufacturer First Solar has successfully obtained a US patent for its solar cell production technology, paving the way for an investigation into potential patent infringements.

The company announced today that it has acquired patents for the Tunner Oxide Passivated Contact (TOPCon) cells, which utilize crystalline-silicon (c-Si) photovoltaic (PV) technology, following its acquisition of TetraSun in 2013.

With this patent acquisition, First Solar has launched an investigation into c-Si solar manufacturers to identify any possible infringement of its patents, which are issued in the US, Mexico, China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Japan, and Australia. The probe also covers pending patent applications in the EU and Japan.

First Solar is known for producing thin-film cadmium-telluride (CdTe)-based photovoltaic modules, a crucial element in advancing solar energy technology and the broader energy transition.

T1 Energy Plans 5GW Solar Cell Plant in Texas to Strengthen US Supply Chain

T1 Energy

Texas Facility Marks New Phase for US Solar Manufacturing

T1 Energy announced plans to build a 5GW solar cell facility in Texas, aiming to address critical gaps in the US solar supply chain. The $850mn G2_Austin plant is scheduled to start production by late 2026. This project follows T1 Energy’s acquisition of Trina Solar’s US assets in 2024 and a rebranding from Freyr Battery, which abandoned its $2.6bn battery storage project in Georgia.

The new facility will supply cells to the 5GW G1_Dallas module plant, reducing reliance on imports from Asia. Current US solar cell capacity remains just 2GW, compared to 56GW of module production. This imbalance highlights the urgency of building more domestic cell production.

US Tariffs and Technology Drive Expansion

T1 Energy’s Texas project benefits from US tariffs and tax incentives, which encourage domestic solar manufacturing. The US Commerce Department has imposed anti-dumping duties on PV cells from Southeast Asia to counter circumvention of Chinese tariffs. Meanwhile, T1 Energy will adopt high-efficiency TOPCon technology, which uses n-type polysilicon. This move reflects the global shift from older Perc technology toward higher-performing solar cells.

However, tariff uncertainty has caused the company to lower its module production forecast for 2025 to 2.6–3GW, down from 3.4GW. T1 Energy is also holding off on long-term power purchase agreements until cost visibility improves. Despite these challenges, the Austin facility represents a major step toward reshoring solar cell production and securing domestic supply chains.

The Metalnomist Commentary

T1 Energy’s 5GW solar cell project signals a turning point for US clean energy policy, linking tariffs, incentives, and new technology adoption. If executed successfully, this facility could strengthen US energy independence while setting a precedent for integrated solar manufacturing in North America. However, cost pressures and tariff volatility remain significant risks for long-term stability.