Trina Solar has announced that its cumulative shipments of 210mm photovoltaic (PV) modules have exceeded 170 gigawatts (GW), which is a major milestone in the industry’s transition to larger, high-efficiency solar modules.
The company first introduced 210mm modules in 2020, and by December 2024, total global shipments of 210mm modules had reached 380GW.
The Chinese solar giant’s push toward 210mm wafers was based on extensive research into the future of silicon wafer development. Trina Solar identified that increasing wafer sizes by up to 50% would be critical for long-term industry growth.
As a result, the company standardized the 210mm wafer and later developed the 210R rectangular silicon wafer module to enhance efficiency and compatibility across applications.
The dimensions and mounting specifications of these modules have since been adopted as industry standards by the China Photovoltaic Industry Association and SEMI, reinforcing their widespread acceptance.
The adoption of the 210mm technology platform has accelerated advancements in module power output, with the industry moving from 500W modules to 600W and now reaching 700W.
According to Trina Solar, its 210mm modules provide a competitive advantage by lowering the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) through improved efficiency, reduced system costs, and streamlined manufacturing processes.
Trina Solar is now leveraging its n-type i-TOPCon Ultra technology to further enhance module efficiency. In November, the company announced that its i-TOPCon Ultra cells had achieved an efficiency of 26.58%, with expectations that the technology will surpass 27% efficiency in the near future.
By integrating 210mm modules with perovskite tandem cells, the company is positioning itself to break the 30% efficiency threshold, potentially ushering in the era of 800W+ modules.
The company has played a key role in advancing the 600W+ PV Open Innovation Ecological Alliance, a consortium aimed at accelerating the development and deployment of high-power solar modules. This initiative has streamlined the path from research and development to commercialization, fostering collaboration across the solar supply chain. Trina Solar remains a key advocate for open innovation, emphasizing industry-wide cooperation to drive technological progress.
