On October 21, Shanghai Aiko Solar Energy Co., Ltd. (Aiko Solar) disclosed two solar cell capacity upgrade initiatives. Under these plans, the company's Tianjin base intends to invest 1.15 billion yuan to convert existing PERC (Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell) capacity into 6 GW of ABC (All Back Contact) cell capacity; meanwhile, the Chuzhou base plans to procure 22 units of wet-chemical photovoltaic cell manufacturing equipment to upgrade a portion of its TOPCon (Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact) cell capacity into ABC cell capacity.
Tianjin Base Plans 1.15 Billion Yuan Investment to Upgrade 6 GW of Cell Capacity
According to the announcement, Aiko Solar plans to retrofit the existing PERC cell production lines at its Tianjin base, with an estimated total project investment of 1.15 billion yuan. The project is scheduled to launch in the fourth quarter of 2026 and progressively ramp up production starting in the third quarter of 2027.
Leveraging the existing PERC plant facilities, the renovation will modify select current equipment, install new machinery required for the ABC manufacturing process, and upgrade supporting power and auxiliary utilities. Upon completion of the overhaul, the relevant cell capacity at the Tianjin base will shift entirely to the ABC technology route.
Aiko Solar stated that this upgrade is primarily designed to adjust its existing capacity mix and satisfy downstream customer demand for high-efficiency ABC cell products.
Chuzhou Base Procures Equipment to Advance ABC Cell Conversion
Regarding the Chuzhou base, an announcement from Aiko Solar revealed that its subsidiary, Chuzhou Aiko Solar Technology Co., Ltd. (Chuzhou Aiko), plans to purchase 22 units of wet-process photovoltaic cell manufacturing equipment—including coating machine systems, cleaning tools, and etching machines—from related party Suzhou Puyite Automation Systems Co., Ltd., for a total contract value of 50.87 million yuan (inclusive of tax).
The aforementioned equipment will be deployed to upgrade cell capacity at the Chuzhou base, specifically targeting the conversion of a portion of existing TOPCon cell capacity into ABC cell capacity. Regarding the continued equipment procurement from Suzhou Puyite, Aiko Solar stated that the decision primarily accounts for the proprietary ABC technology processes and associated confidentiality requirements involved in the machinery.
In terms of pricing, the equipment models and specifications in this order are identical to those previously procured from Suzhou Puyite in August 2026, representing a repeat order of the identical models. Aiko Solar noted that the pricing fairness of the prior purchase had been independently verified by an accounting firm; given the short interval between the two orders and minimal price fluctuation in raw manufacturing materials, the equipment procurement price remains unchanged.
Source：EnergyTrend
