JinkoSolar, the world’s largest solar module producer, says it has broken its own world record for solar efficiency for P-type monocrystalline PERC solar cell efficiency, with a new benchmark of 23.45 per cent.

The new record, announced at the China International Industry Fair (CIIF) this week beat the previous record of 22.78 per cent, set in October.

JinkoSolar credits the increased efficiency to new manufacturing and data collection techniques, including IoT devices, intelligent mobile devices, and mobile robots in its manufacturing process, and improved workflow efficiency, and optimise material transportation.

This ultimately enhances its “fab” operating efficiency, along with flexibility, and quality.

CEO Kangping Chen said it was the fifth world record set in cell and module efficiency by the company this year

“Now with assistance of intelligent manufacturing, we can translate these world record learnings into mass production, which will undoubtedly make a big splash in the market,” he said.

Chen also predicts that so-called “half cell” technologies could be the next big thing in solar production, particularly with their ability to overcome high production costs and capacity bottlenecks.

“One of the main advancements is the increase in half cell technology. Over a traditional full-cell module, half-cell module has an additional 5-10 watt of output with minimal margins cost,” he said.

“The technical and, more importantly, economic feasibility of half cell technology means that we’ll see half-cell modules gain substantial market share,” he said, particularly in residential markets where they have greater shade tolerance.

JinkoSolar has production capacity for 4.5 GW for solar cells, and 7.5 GW for solar modules, and operates in 16 different countries, including Australia.