Larger wafer size increases the area exposed to light, increasing power and reducing cost. “Existing crystal drawing and slicing equipment are compatible with 166mm size silicon wafer. The costs of production equipment for cell and module are lower and easier to achieve. “Calculated by ‘flux’, the production line using 166mm wafer will increase capacity by 13% as compared with the 156mm size,” said Professor Shen Wenzhong, Director, Solar Energy Research Institute of Shanghai Jiaotong University.



LONGi announced the price of its M6 monocrystalline silicon wafer in May 2019 at 3.47 RMB/piece, which is only a minimal 0.4 RMB premium compared to its M2 wafer. The compatibility of wafer production lines with M6 would ensure large-scale supply in 2019, thereby reducing the price differential to less than 0.2 RMB, Wang Yingge said.