Solar Giants’ Fates May Hinge on a Fight Over 28 Millimeters
A battle over the best size for a key part used to harness the sun’s energy may determine which company has the edge in a $200 billion industry.
An employee inspects photovoltaic cells at the Longi Green Energy Technology Co. plant in Xi'an.
Photographer: Qilai Shen/BloombergTwo Chinese solar giants are in a tussle over technology standards that hinges on a mere 28 millimeters, with the outcome set to determine which company has an edge going forward in the $200 billion industry.
The combatants are the world’s biggest solar manufacturers, pitting industry leader Longi Green Energy Technology Co. against the world’s second-biggest player Trina Solar Co. And the battle involves bragging rights over the ideal size for wafers, the key component for making solar modules: Which is better, Longi’s 182-millimeter version, or Trina’s 210-millimeter?