In this interview from 2024’s Solar & Storage Live in Birmingham, Marina Shi from AIKO Energy shared her insights with Solar&StorageXtra.
Marina discussed the company’s cutting-edge ABC modules, recent efficiency breakthroughs, and provided more context on how AIKO is positioning itself for long-term growth in the UK market.
Interview with Marina Shi, Regional GM for Northern Europe, AIKO Energy
“What we’re really focused on is maximising output for the general public while making the best use of limited-service areas.”
Xtra: What is AIKO Energy’s role in the industry?
Marina: For people involved in solar cell manufacturing, AIKO is one of the biggest names in the world. We’re known for our high-efficiency cells. That’s still a core part of our business, but since 2022, we’ve launched a new module division featuring our ABC modules.
These use our newest ABC solar cells, which differ from the major technologies like TopCon, HJT, or previously PERC, that we’ve worked with before.
Xtra: What products are AIKO Energy demonstrating at Solar & Storage Live?
Marina: We’ve brought our most popular module to the show: the 455W all-black ABC module. It’s 1757x1134mm and is currently the most quoted module for residential projects.
We’ve also brought our commercial and utility modules. These are available as bifacial modules, with 645W and above at a 2382mm size, compared to others currently offering around 610W.
We’re also showcasing our newest product, which incorporates infinite technology in our generation three modules. This boosts another 20W above our current offering for the 54-cell module.
Xtra: Can you talk about the new record AIKO just reached?
Marina: Since AIKO started making solar cells, we’ve supported world-record-breaking cell modules. Now that we’ve entered the module market ourselves, our modules have been ranked number one for efficiency on Taiyang News for 19 consecutive months.
Taiyang News updates its website monthly with the most efficient commercially available modules, and our generation two commercial 655W module holds the top spot with 24.2% efficiency.
With our generation three modules, we’re aiming to push that even higher to 25% efficiency.
Xtra: How do you see AIKO Energy evolving over the next five to ten years?
Marina: This is only our second year in the UK market, and we’re already seeing great results. Installers I’ve never met before are telling me they’re quoting with our modules, which is fantastic.
I see AIKO becoming one of the major modules used across the industry over the next five to ten years. We’re focused on maximising output for the general public while making the best use of limited service areas.
Xtra: What do you think are the benefits of attending Solar & Storage Live?
Marina: Solar & Storage Live is the biggest show in the UK. I’ve attended every year since joining the solar industry more than eight years ago, and I learn something new every time I attend.
I see new products entering the market, and it gives me confidence and fresh insights into how the solar industry is evolving.
The most rewarding part is hearing from customers about how they feel about our products and how they’ve made a difference in their lives. That feedback means the world to me.
Missed out on Solar & Storage Live, or want to come back for more? Don’t miss the London edition from 2-3 April 2025 – or find a Solar & Storage Live event closer to home.
