Interviewee: Song Yu, Vice General Manager of Jiangxi UNIEX New Energy Co Ltd and General Manager of UNIEXPV Technology (China) Co., Ltd.

UNIEX New Energy Co Ltd was established in 2008 and has several brands, including UNIEX Cell, UNIEX Module, UNIEXPV, UNIEX Electric Power and UNIEX ZFB, as well as dozens of branches and business divisions. Their business covers the production of high-efficiency solar cells and PV modules, the development of PV power stations, EPC and the operation and maintenance of power stations. This leading, national-level high-tech enterprise integrates R&D, design, production, sales, and services, and is a global supplier of vertically integrated new energy solutions.

PVP365: How does UNIEXPV make use of its advantages in the vertically integrated layout of the PV industrial chain?

Song Yu: UNIEX is currently the world’s largest and most advanced manufacturer of black silicon cells. The company was initially engaged in manufacturing silicon slices and cells, which belong to the upstream of this industrial chain. UNIEXPV has pooled world-class crystalline silicon cell manufacturers, module integrators and upstream and downstream resources. It has built a vertically integrated layout for the PV industrial chain from crystalline silicon cells, high-efficiency PV modules and fully intelligent PV systems to comprehensive solutions, and has created a complete service system that includes pre-project financing, product customisation, professional installation, after-sales service tracking and an exceptional alliance business policy.

PVP365: It can be said that UNIEX uses prudent, step-by-step strategies to advance from the upstream to the downstream of the industrial chain to successfully obtain a strong market share. Could you tell us the development plan for each segment in 2018?

Song Yu: The plan for modules, cells and downstream power stations, which are the three major business segments, is that this year alone cells are expected to reach a capacity of 5.5 GW, modules are expected to exceed a capacity of 1 GW and grid-connected PV power stations are expected to reach an accumulated installed capacity of 3 GW.

PVP365: In recent years public subsidies have continued to decrease, and the bid electricity price in the “Top Runner Program” reached increasingly new lows. How is UNIEXPV prepared for grid parity?

Song Yu: Grid parity will be a trend in the future. With the continuous reduction of national subsidies and market electricity prices, manufacturers, power station developers and EPC companies will have better control over production costs. Second, we make cells and modules on our own, instead of purchasing them from external businesses, which is one of our advantages. Third, another advantage of ours is that we constantly improve the product conversion rate and optimise the follow-up operation and maintenance of power stations, so that we can calmly respond to the ever-changing market.

PVP365: The market of distributed PV has seen very fierce competition. What achievements did UNIEXPV make in the distributed PV sector in 2017?

Song Yu: In 2017 UNIEXPV achieved an installed capacity of approximately 1 GW in the distributed PV sector. The number of power stations connected to the grid, the amount of investment in distributed power stations and the volume of EPC business ranked top in the industry. At this stage, the PV industry has evolved from its original extensive development into the current refined development. When we expand the distributed PV market, we should pay more attention to quality. Take our distributed power station investment as an example. During the 25 years since the completion of the power station, we have guaranteed project quality, operation and maintenance services. . Our own brand reputation and quality control systems are excellent in the industry.

UNIEXPV also does business related to household systems, which not only brings us the business of household systems, but also broadens the channels of dealers across the country. UNIEXPV has advantages in information channels nationwide, and both our brand and channels will boost our market development.

PVP365: What do you think about the distributed PV market in 2018? What will be the key to the competition in the distributed PV market? What is the core competitiveness and unique advantage of UNIEXPV?

Song Yu: In the fierce competition of the distributed PV market, in addition to quality, everyone pays particular attention to the overall system efficiency. When we consider the recent orientation of some national policies, in the future, the mode of self-production/consumption will be widely adopted for distributed PV, while projects completely connected to the grid will be reduced. Previously, everyone considered the covered area and quality of the roof; in the future, the market will presumably focus more on power consumers. UNIEXPV has its own concept of the entire product design, including market development, and can provide one-stop system solutions. In terms of market development, we completed power stations with capacities of up to 1 GW last year, and have established a good reputation in the industry, which is also helpful to us.

PVP365: What comments can you give us about the “All Quality Matters” Solar Congress hosted by TÜV Rheinland? How do you evaluate the role of third-party testing and certification authorities like TÜV Rheinland in your business? Could you talk about the cooperation with TÜV Rheinland?

Song Yu: We particularly appreciate TÜV Rheinland’s fair, impartial and very rigorous testing system. We believe that in the current domestic market, there is a great need for such professional third-party agencies to make objective evaluations of the quality of power stations and products in the market, and to play a business development role in the market’ environment. At present, the entire household distributed market is in chaos and products vary greatly in quality, and as a result some smaller distributors obtain improper benefits and eventually the public will suffer directly. We are cooperating with TÜV Rheinland, and our household system has been the first to be thoroughly evaluated and tested by TÜV Rheinland. In the process, we have been working with TÜV Rheinland to study and develop technological means and solutions to the quality and risk problems of household PV systems. Power stations for the public must be used for more than 25 years. We hope that this power station will be able to bring in steady profits for the public in the long term, instead of descending into a project for a fast buck. This requires new industry standards and benchmarks. We also hope to continue to cooperate with TÜV Rheinland on household projects and establish industry standards for household power stations.