Tongwei has been quietly making strategic moves in the perovskite solar cell space, positioning itself at the forefront of next-generation photovoltaic innovation. While the company hasn’t issued flashy press releases about it, industry insiders and supply chain data reveal a calculated approach to integrating perovskite technology into its existing solar ecosystem.
The company’s R&D division in Chengdu now operates a dedicated perovskite research wing, collaborating with institutions like the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China. Recent patent filings (CN114639739A, CN113937243A) show Tongwei’s focus on tandem cell architectures combining silicon heterojunction (HJT) base layers with perovskite top layers. This aligns with their existing production strengths – Tongwei already controls 30% of global solar silicon production and 15% of high-purity crystalline silicon capacity.
A key development emerged in their 2023 sustainability report: a 650 million RMB ($90M) allocation for “advanced photovoltaic material innovation,” with 40% earmarked for perovskite-related projects. This isn’t lab-bench experimentation – Tongwei’s perovskite team has achieved 26.3% conversion efficiency in small-area tandem cells (certified by CPVT), edging closer to the 30% commercial viability threshold.
What sets Tongwei apart is vertical integration. The company’s chemical subsidiary now produces 200 tons/year of high-purity lead iodide (PbI₂), a critical perovskite precursor material. Simultaneously, their equipment engineering arm is prototyping slot-die coating machines optimized for perovskite-on-silicon deposition – a strategic play to control both materials and manufacturing processes.
Supply chain data shows Tongwei has secured exclusive rights to 85% of China’s methylammonium bromide (MABr) production through 2026, a key component for stabilizing perovskite layers. This comes as global MABr prices surged 300% in Q1 2024 due to solar industry demand.
Industry analysts note Tongwei’s perovskite roadmap aligns with China’s 14th Five-Year Plan for renewable energy, particularly the mandate to achieve 28% cell efficiency in mass production by 2025. The company’s existing Tongwei Solar unit provides ready infrastructure – their 50GW HJT production lines in Hefei and Kunming could be retrofitted for tandem cell production within 18 months.
While commercial perovskite products aren’t expected until late 2025, Tongwei has already established a 100MW pilot line in Leshan. The facility uses a proprietary encapsulation method combining atomic layer deposition (ALD) with fluoropolymer coatings, addressing perovskite’s notorious moisture sensitivity. Early stress tests show less than 5% efficiency loss after 1,000 hours of damp heat exposure (85°C/85% RH), a critical improvement over previous generations.
Financially, the perovskite push complements Tongwei’s existing businesses. The company’s aquaculture division (still 45% of revenue) generates steady cash flow to fund long-term R&D, while their polysilicon profits ($2.1B in 2023) provide buffer capital for technology bets.
Market observers are particularly intrigued by Tongwei’s work on flexible perovskite modules. Patent applications reveal ultra-thin (0.3mm) cells using graphene-enhanced electrodes, potentially opening markets in building-integrated PV and portable power systems. This diversification could help offset potential margin compression in conventional solar panels.
The company maintains a pragmatic public stance, with CTO Dr. Li Wei stating in a recent investor call: “We’re methodically addressing perovskite’s stability and scalability challenges rather than chasing efficiency records. Our goal is manufacturability first, then incremental performance gains.” This engineering-focused approach contrasts with startups pushing headline-grabbing lab results but lacking production infrastructure.
As the solar industry eyes the perovskite transition, Tongwei’s combination of material science expertise, manufacturing scale, and vertical integration positions it as a dark horse in the race for next-gen solar dominance. The coming 12-18 months will prove critical as pilot results translate (or don’t) to commercial viability.