Green defines the tone of high-quality development within the photovoltaic (PV) industry. So, how can we enhance energy efficiency specifically in PV manufacturing? How can we reduce energy consumption during clean production? And how can green factories unlock the potential of intelligent PV manufacturing?
Moving Towards Green, Brightening the Essence of PV Manufacturing
On the manufacturing side, Grand Sunergy applies a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach to PV modules, considering procurement, processing, production, and recycling holistically. By tracking and recording raw material sources and usage, they reduce pollutants and minimize resource and energy consumption throughout the PV product manufacturing process.
Currently, benefiting from low-temperature heterojunction (HJT) technology, shorter production steps, and thinner silicon wafers, along with green supply chain management, Grand Sunergy’s HJT modules achieve a cradle-to-gate carbon footprint as low as 396g/W, outperforming TOPCon’s 450g/W. This has earned them the CTC National Testing Group’s Product Carbon Footprint Certificate. With advances in wafer thinning and composite material frame upgrades, the future HJT module carbon footprint is expected to drop below 300g/W.
Clean Production Initiatives
At Xuzhou base, Grand Sunergy has established a distributed photovoltaic rooftop project with a total capacity of 8.995 MW, covering approximately 70,000 m2. Operating in a self-use with surplus grid feed-in mode, the project is expected to generate 10.8 million kWh in its first year. Over 25 years, it is projected to save 78,466 tons of standard coal and reduce CO₂ emissions by approximately 209,414 tons, contributing to local greenhouse gas reduction, an increase in clean energy use, improved energy structure, and environmental enhancement.
Additionally, each Grand Sunergy production site regularly monitors exhaust, wastewater, and noise, while also recycling general solid waste like cardboard, wooden pallets, scrap wood, and offcuts, achieving a recycling rate of over 90%. At Huaibei base, the motto Let Every Drop of Water Be Reused Once More has become a guiding principle, embodying a commitment to enhance resource and energy efficiency during PV production.
Illuminating Green Development Potential
On the supply side, Grand Sunergy integrates green supply chain management into every facet of its operations. By prioritizing environmentally friendly suppliers and phasing out high-risk suppliers, they are progressively building a low-carbon, green photovoltaic supply chain.
As of 2023, the company has conducted environmental impact risk assessments on 63 suppliers across materials like silicon wafers, cells, glass, aluminum frames, junction boxes, EVA, silicone, tin-coated copper tape, silver paste, and aluminum paste. Of these, 96.8% were low risk, with 3.2% rated medium risk and none rated as high risk.
Data-Driven and Intelligent Management
Leveraging ERP, MES, and AI inspection systems, Grand Sunergy optimizes production processes for PV module manufacturing with smart analysis. This enables comprehensive monitoring and traceability from raw materials procurement through to production, enhancing efficiency, stability, and quality throughout the production cycle for higher yield and consistent quality.
In the PV manufacturing space, the integration of digital, intelligent, and green practices converges to form a powerful synergy. Grand Sunergy is committed to creating an environmentally friendly, smart, digital and green factory that promotes cleaner energy and a low-carbon future.
