Charting New Horizons: Robin Li on Jinko Solar’s Growth and Innovation Across MENA, Africa and Central Asia

In a rapidly evolving renewable energy landscape, Jinko Solar is making significant strides across the MENA, Africa and Central Asia regions. With its advanced technological solutions and strategic expansions, Jinko Solar is positioning itself at the forefront of the global solar industry. In this exclusive interview, Robin Li, General Manager of Jinko Solar, provides an in-depth look at the company’s geographical and technological advancements, their role in revolutionizing green industrial production in Africa, and their vision for future growth. Join us as Robin shares insights into Jinko Solar’s cutting-edge products, regional adaptations, and their ambitious joint venture in Saudi Arabia, highlighting their commitment to a sustainable energy future.

1. Could you briefly discuss Jinko Solar’s recent expansions in MENA, Africa and Central Asia, both geographically and technologically?

Geographically

MENA is our key region and contribute more than 80% of the shipment volume among all the three regions. Many countries had announced its ambition to develop large scale of renewable energy by 2023 and 2050, including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia etc.

Saudi Arabia has the best potential and biggest plan to build up to 68 GW by 2030, and the development is under process, it will be our most important market.

Africa is the high potential regions for solar deployment Geographically, we have strengthened our presence in key markets such as South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, and Ghana. These expansions are not only about establishing sales channels but also about building partnerships with local entities to drive large-scale solar C&I and Utility projects.

Also, JinkoSolar is actively expanding in Central Asia, particularly in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, by participating in large-scale solar projects and collaborating with local governments and businesses to promote solar energy development. Additionally, Jinko is advancing related projects in Azerbaijan and Georgia, committed to supporting the growth of renewable energy.

Technologically

JinkoSolar has always had a very good market share in overseas markets. For the above region, JinkoSolar has launched a new generation of 66 and 72 modules equipped with HOT3.0 technology, which is committed to providing the best LCOE solution for the region, reducing the construction cost of PV power plants, increasing the power generation of the modules, meeting the demand of more customers in the region for economy, increasing the value of the products, and serving the end clients.

• How is Jinko Solar revolutionizing green industrial production in Africa?

JinkoSolar is at the forefront of promoting green industrial production in Africa by providing cutting-edge solar solutions that reduce dependency on fossil fuels. We are working closely with industries to integrate solar power into their energy mix, which not only lowers their carbon footprint but also offers a reliable and cost-effective energy source.

For instance the recent installation of 24MW Bamburi Cement in Kenya, Steel Production, Food Processing plants (Milk.Fresha), Agricultural Production where about 10-12MW has been installed in Tea production Factories for both local and export consumption in EU, US and Asian markets.

• What new technologies and products is Jinko Solar introducing in these regions?

We are introducing several innovative technologies tailored to the MEA&CA market, including our Tiger Neo series, which features advanced N-type TOPCon technology, offering higher efficiency and lower degradation rates. These modules are designed to perform exceptionally well under the intense sunlight and variable weather conditions common in many parts of desert. Furthermore, our bifacial modules are gaining traction, as they can generate more electricity by capturing sunlight from both sides of the panel, which is especially beneficial in areas with high reflectivity.

The focus here is on the 66 version of the 2382*1134mm size module that introduces the HOT3.0 technology platform.HOT 3.0 cells technology including Laser support coating, super thin busbar, optimization of AR film.

This advanced structure contributes to better passivation performance and electrical con ductivity, increasing the cell efficiency and power generation performance. Under the mass production condition, the N-type HOT3.0 cell’s maximum efficiency is close to 26.3 % and has a broad application prospect in the near future.

• How is Jinko Solar tailoring its solutions to meet the unique needs and challenges of diverse markets?

Jinko Solar understands that MEA&CA is not a monolithic market, and we have tailored our solutions to meet the unique energy needs of different regions.

– Climate Adaptation: Offering products designed to withstand the region’s extreme temperatures and environmental conditions, ensuring high performance and durability.

– Customized ESS Solutions: Offering tailored solar solutions that address specific regional challenges, including grid stability and energy storage needs.

– Local Support: Providing localized technical support and training to ensure effective deployment and maintenance of our solar and energy storage systems

– Local content Requirement in Saudi arabia: Jinko is considering to build up the cell and module manufacturing plant in Saudi Arabia.

• Can you brief us on JinkoSolar’s recent joint venture with RELC and VI in Saudi Arabia?

Jinko Solar recently entered a significant joint venture with Saudi Arabian companies RELC which is a subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia and VI to build a large-scale solar cell and module manufacturing facility in Saudi Arabia. This new factory, expected to have an annual production capacity of 10GW, will focus on solar cells and modules. The investment for the project is estimated $985 million, and the source of funds is the joint venture’s own or self-raised funds.

The joint venture is structured with Jinko Solar’s Middle East subsidiary holding a 40% stake, RELC also holding 40%, and VI holding the remaining 20%. The factory aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the country’s economy and reduce its dependence on oil by boosting local manufacturing capabilities in renewable energy. This project is expected to play an important role in localizing advanced solar technology and supporting both domestic and international demand for renewable energy products​.

• What is your vision for Jinko Solar’s growth in these regions over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, Jinko Solar envisions significant growth and impact in these regions:

– Market Leadership: We aim to deepen our market penetration by expanding our product offerings and forging strategic partnerships with governments and private sector players.

– Sustainable Development: Driving sustainable growth through large-scale projects, strategic partnerships, and community engagement, aligning with regional renewable energy objectives.

– Technological Innovation: Investing in R&D to introduce new technologies that enhance solar system efficiency and reliability, including advanced Energy Storage Systems, to address the evolving needs of these regions.

By focusing on these objectives, JinkoSolar is committed to advancing the solar energy sector in these regions and contributing to a more sustainable energy future.