What have been the main developments for JA Solar over the past years? 

JA Solar was founded in 2005, growing into a leader in the PV industry. We are designing, developing, manufacturing and selling solar cell and solar module products in the global market. In H1 2024, the company reached 242 gigawatts (GW) of installed capacity across 187 countries, including African countries. We continue to increase our manufacturing capacity, reaching over 100 GW in 2024, compared to approximately 95 GW in 2023, and we are leveraging economies of scale where higher production means lower cost. 

JA Solar continues to lead the market by introducing innovative products like Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). Our manufacturing capacity for BESS is expanding rapidly, reaching 5 GWh/y. 

Could you walk us through the latest innovations Ja Solar is bringing into the market?

Our latest DeepBlue 4.0 series module featuring the advanced BYCIUM+ Cell has achieved mass production efficiency of 26.5% in 2024. In addition, we have launched our new n-type modules for offshore PV applications, the “SkyBlue” and “OceanBlue” series, featuring a 640 W power output and 23% module efficiency. Standard modules cannot be used in tougher environments, but SkyBlue” and “OceanBlue” series prioritizes resilience, boasting features such as resistance to salt spray, ultraviolet radiation and humidity to ensure reliability and resistance in offshore weather. 

The Blue Galaxy BESS series with 4.65 MWh/5.36 MWh using liquid cooled and air cooled respectively is presenting a good solution for utility scale projects by presenting two charging mode 2 and 4 hours depending on the project application with including fire suppression system.

We also have a huge distribution market for our commercial and industrial (C&I) solar solutions and BESS, and JA Solar is the supplier of choice for C&I applications especially in dusty regions as we have developed an anti-dust frame technology that enhances drainage and decontamination performance, thus reducing dust accumulation and avoiding hotspot issues on rooftop applications. 

Can you talk about the reliability and affordability of JA Solar’s PV systems, and how is technology changing the economics of solar solutions?

The evolution of technology has increased the reliability and affordability of renewable energy systems in recent years. To solve the intermittency issues related to renewable energy, BESS have helped to provide grid stability by allowing the storage of excess renewable energy to be used at a later stage. As an example, BESS have revolutionized the mining industry in Africa region by providing critical solutions for grid stability and operational efficiency. By storing excess renewable energy generated during peak production periods, BESS can ensure a reliable and consistent power supply, even during periods of high demand or grid disruptions. This capability is particularly beneficial for mining operations, which often operate in remote locations with limited grid access.

The recent advancements in JA Solar Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery technology have further enhanced the potential of BESS in the mining sector. LFP batteries offer superior safety, longer lifespan and faster charging times, making them ideal for demanding mining applications. 

In Africa, many projects are now adapting microgrid applications for renewable energy technologies, essentially enabling the production of energy in the location of consumption – this helps substantially decrease the cost of the investment as there is no need to integrate transmission lines or transport the energy over long distances. 

How do you see the role of solar energy playing into Africa's energy mix in the long term, and what are the current adoption trends in the African market? 

Africa is a high-potential market, with plenty of space to grow in renewable energy systems. Africa is also ideal for the implementation of solar energy thanks to the availability of natural sun, with the continent being hailed as the “sun continent” for it basks in sunshine stronger than all other regions. The challenge we see in Africa is grid connectivity, as connecting to a grid is not always possible for all customers, and we thus provide both on-grid and off-grid application solutions. 

Do you have a final message for our audience? 

Considering the growth of the African markets, Africa needs good partners, and JA Solar is ready to support the continent in its energy needs by providing high-quality, high-reliability, and affordable solar and BESS solutions.