Hanwha Q Cells, Korean Hanwha Solutions division, achieved the solar industry’s first International Electrotechnical Commission and Underwriters Laboratories certification for tandem modules, positioning the South Korean manufacturer to challenge China’s overwhelming market control through advanced technology.
The solar unit of Hanwha Solutions Corp. announced that its perovskite-silicon tandem modules passed rigorous stress tests, marking a critical milestone toward mass production planned for 2027. The achievement follows the company’s December 2024 world record of 28.6% efficiency for full-area tandem cells.
The certification comes as Chinese companies maintain over 80% of global solar manufacturing capacity, with costs running 50% lower than European producers and 65% below U.S. manufacturers. However, China’s solar sector faces significant headwinds, with over 30% of listed companies reporting losses and supply chain prices plummeting by 25-45% in 2024.
Hanwha Q Cells has invested approximately 136.5 billion won ($101 million) in tandem cell development, establishing pilot facilities at its Jincheon plant with European R&D partners. The company operates the largest crystalline silicon module plant in the Western Hemisphere at Dalton, Georgia.
The tandem technology combines perovskite top cells with the company’s proprietary Q.ANTUM silicon bottom cells, potentially requiring fewer modules to achieve equivalent power output. Whether Hanwha can translate technical breakthroughs into competitive manufacturing scale remains the ultimate test against entrenched Chinese rivals.
