Exclusive Interview: JA Solar on Driving Chile’s Renewable Future

AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH:

Chile has reached a major milestone with over 70% of its electricity coming from renewables in 2024. How does JA Solar position itself as a strategic partner in accelerating further renewable integration into the national grid and supporting the country’s energy transition?


JA Solar has been driving the global energy transition for more than 20 years. Our focus has always been on delivering high-efficiency solar technology that lowers the cost of energy generation for our customers, while providing comprehensive services that go beyond just supplying modules. In Chile, we see ourselves not only as a technology provider but as a long-term partner. We support our clients with engineering, product development, and commissioning, helping them design and implement projects with the highest standards of efficiency and reliability. By combining cutting-edge technology with technical expertise and close collaboration, we contribute to accelerating renewable integration and supporting Chile’s ambitious transition toward a cleaner and more sustainable energy matrix.

Grid congestion and permitting bottlenecks remain key challenges for clean energy deployment. What lessons learned from other regional markets could help streamline permitting and improve grid connection processes in Chile?


Facilitating these processes requires progress on two fronts. First, grid capacity must grow in parallel with renewable deployment. Without expanded transmission infrastructure, permitting slows down due to congestion and the high number of projects competing for limited capacity. Second, having clear and standardized permitting pathways by project type is critical. From our experience across Latin America, markets that introduced better-defined processes and early coordination among agencies significantly reduced bottlenecks. In Chile, the involvement of multiple institutions, often focused on protecting agriculture, forestry, or other industries, sometimes delays approvals. However, an integrated framework that balances these environmental and social safeguards with renewable development goals could accelerate deployment. With clearer rules and stronger coordination, Chile can advance clean energy while continuing to protect other important sectors.

JA Solar is globally recognized for its technological leadership in high-efficiency solar modules. How do innovations such as DeepBlue 4.0 Pro and TOPCon N-type contribute to better grid compatibility, lower LCOE, and increased project bankability in Chile?


Solar technology remains the most competitive source of new energy worldwide, and at JA Solar we have continuously refined our solutions to maximize generation per square meter while adapting to different project needs. DeepBlue 4.0 Pro and our N-type TOPCon modules deliver higher efficiency and stable performance under diverse operating conditions. Their optimized module size and improved packing density allow more panels per container and per string, reducing logistics costs and improving system design flexibility. As a result, projects benefit from lower CAPEX, lower OPEX, and ultimately a lower LCOE. In addition, these modules are lighter and easier to handle, ensuring cleaner and more efficient operations. With warranties of up to 30 years, our technology not only secures long-term generation but also enhances project bankability, giving developers, investors, and utilities in Chile greater confidence in both financial returns and reliable grid integration.

With over 1GW of modules sold and 100+ active clients across South America, what opportunities and potential risks do you identify for the Chilean and Andean solar markets over the next 2–3 years?


The Chilean and Andean markets hold tremendous opportunities, particularly in advancing solar and storage solutions that can enhance system reliability and enable a faster transition away from conventional generation. Chile, with its exceptional solar resource, is especially well positioned to lead this evolution. At the same time, we must recognize certain risks. In recent years, some manufacturers have chosen to sell below production costs, which creates market distortions and pressures the industry toward unsustainable price expectations. There are also challenges related to evolving regulatory frameworks and the need for stable rules that support long-term investment. We believe the way forward is to grow because of innovation, fair competition, and strong quality standards. This approach ensures customer trust, protects project viability, and strengthens investor confidence, allowing solar energy in Chile and the wider region to consolidate its leadership role in the energy transition.

Public-private collaboration is key to enabling faster and more sustainable renewable growth. How is JA Solar working with regulators, utilities, and developers to design projects, provide technical support, and advance Chile’s energy transition?


At JA Solar, we see our role as extending well beyond manufacturing. We work hand in hand with regulators, utilities, and developers from the earliest stages of project design, offering technical expertise, engineering support, and training to ensure safe and efficient implementation. Our experience spans the entire spectrum, from residential and commercial installations to large utility-scale projects, and we stay involved throughout the full lifecycle. This includes project development, commissioning, post-sales services, and even panel replacement in repowering phases. Our passion lies in transferring knowledge and ensuring that technology is applied under the best practices, giving investors, clients, and governments confidence in the stability and longevity of their projects. By combining innovation with education, we contribute directly to strengthening Chile’s energy transition.

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