Oman gets a photovoltaic cell project: Chinese solar panel manufacturer HainanDrinda New Energy Technology has signed a provisional agreement with Oman Investment Authority (OIA) to establish a USD 700 mn high-efficiency photovoltaic cell facility in Oman, Oman Observer reported last week. The proposed plant will have an annual production capacity of 10 GW solar cells, to be rolled out in two 5 GW phases. This marks the first PV-cell project for the sultanate.

About Hainan's PV cells: The Chinese firm will mass produce N-type TOPCon cells — considered one of the top cell technologies with high bifaciality, a feature that allows for additional energy to be generated from the bottom side of the module. Hainan’s share of the TOPCon cell market was “more than 57% in 2023, making it the largest producer of these high-efficiency cells globally,” according to Oman Observer.

In line with Oman’s hydrogen goals: Oman's goal to produce 1.38 mn tons annually by 2030 requires a significant amount of renewable energy equating to roughly 35 GW of solar and wind farms, the report adds. Oman's Hydrom estimates this will require around 40 mn solar panels and over 6k wind turbines.

About Hainan: Hainan Drinda was established in 2003 as an auto parts manufacturer, venturing into solar energy in 2020 by buying a 51% majority stake in Shangrao Jietai New Energy Technology and acquiring the rest of the company in 2022, the news outlet said. The company became the first in the world to mass produce the high-efficiency solar cell N-type TOPCon last year with a 57% market share.

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