Lightway Solar
Lightway Solar is a privately held Chinese photovoltaic manufacturer founded in 2006, headquartered in Shenzhen, producing TOPCON and PERC solar cells and modules (10 GW nameplate capacity) for utility, C&I, and residential customers in 100+ countries, with sales offices in Shenzhen and Hong Kong.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2006
- HeadquartersShenzhen, China
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Lightway Solar does
Lightway Solar (Lightway Technology Development Limited) is a privately held Chinese photovoltaic manufacturer established in 2006 and headquartered in Shenzhen. The company designs and produces crystalline-silicon solar cells and modules for utility-scale, commercial and industrial, and residential solar installations, serving customers in more than 100 countries. Core technology spans two platform generations: legacy PERC bifacial cells (with M6/M10 wafer formats and 9-12 busbar architectures, achieving roughly 23.3-23.6% efficiency) and the newer TOPCON family with selective emitter and bifacial multi-busbar designs (offered in M10, M10+, G12, and G12R wafer formats with 10-18 busbars, reaching stated cell efficiencies up to 26.10% on the G12 18BB variant). Module products include 60- and 72-cell standard mono/poly configurations, half-cell variants, and bifacial double-glass modules with outputs ranging from roughly 285W to 405W.
Manufacturing is organized across four mainland-China entities — FAB 1 in Changzhou (Jiangsu), FAB 2 in Yichun (Jiangxi), and a third Xixiang (Shenzhen) site — supplemented by two operating and sales companies in Hong Kong. Combined annual nameplate capacity is stated at 8,000 MW for cells and 2,000 MW for modules (10 GW total). Products are manufactured under ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 quality and environmental management systems and carry TUV, UL, CE, IEC, and CQC certifications for international market access.
The business model is straightforward B2B hardware sales: cells and modules are sold via direct, custom-quoted, multi-year contracts through the Shenzhen and Hong Kong sales offices to enterprise customers including utilities, commercial developers, EPCs, and government projects. Pricing is not publicly disclosed. Documented reference customers include Canada's Gaz Métro (utility-scale), Standard Solar (US commercial solar developer and EPC), and participation in Saudi Arabia's national solar tender program. The company is privately held with no disclosed institutional investors, funding rounds, or parent-company backing, and at 101-250 employees appears small relative to its stated capacity — a profile consistent with significant contract-manufacturing reliance or with materially lower-than-nameplate utilization.
Lightway Solar firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Lightway Solar
- Legal name
- Lightway Solar
- Website
- https://lightway-tech.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2006
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Lightway Solar is a privately held Chinese photovoltaic manufacturer founded in 2006, headquartered in Shenzhen, producing TOPCON and PERC solar cells and modules (10 GW nameplate capacity) for utility, C&I, and residential customers in 100+ countries, with sales offices in Shenzhen and Hong Kong.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Lightway Solar industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Photovoltaic Cells and Modules
- NAICS
- Other Electronic Component Manufacturing (334419)
- SIC
- Semiconductors & Related Devices (3674)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Solar PV Module & Cell Manufacturing (Crystalline, Thin-Film) (EUAMAHAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Solar PV Module Manufacturing (Cells, Modules, Thin-Film) (EUAMABAD)
Keywords
Where Lightway Solar is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Shenzhen
- HQ country
- China
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices5 records
Markets served
Lightway Solar business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Solar Cell Sales: Manufacture and sale of photovoltaic cells including TOPCON bifacial, PERC bifacial, mono and poly variants in various sizes (M6, M10, M10+, G12, G12R)
- Solar Module Sales: Manufacture and sale of photovoltaic modules including standard modules, half-cell modules, and bifacial double glass modules
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom quotation-based pricing for solar cells and modules |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels3 records
Lightway Solar product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Lightway Solar manufactures and sells high-quality photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules produced from monocrystalline and polycrystalline silicon wafers. The product portfolio spans M6, M10, M10+, G12, and G12R cell sizes using TOPCON and PERC bifacial technologies, alongside standard, half-cell, and bifacial double-glass modules, all built under ISO9001/ISO14001 quality systems with TUV/UL/CE certifications. The company operates four mainland China manufacturing entities plus two Hong Kong sales companies, with annual capacity of 8GW for cells and 2GW for modules sold to utilities, developers, and commercial customers in 100+ countries.
Product overview
Lightway Solar is a photovoltaic product manufacturer offering two main product lines: PV Cells and PV Modules. PV Cells include multiple size categories (M6, M10, M10+, G12, G12R) featuring TOPCON and PERC technologies with bifacial configurations and varying busbar counts (9BB to 18BB). PV Modules encompass Standard Modules (60/72-cell monocrystalline and polycrystalline), Bifacial Double Glass Modules, and Half-Cell Modules in both monocrystalline PERC and polycrystalline variants. The company operates manufacturing facilities in Jiangsu, Jiangxi, and Guangdong provinces, with global marketing based in Shenzhen.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- M10+ Mono 16BB TOPCON Bifacial PV Cell High-efficiency monocrystalline silicon solar cell with TOPCON technology and bifacial light harvesting capability, featuring 16 busbars for enhanced power output, sold to module manufacturers and project developers.
- G12 Mono 12BB PERC Bifacial PV Cell Large-format G12 monocrystalline PERC bifacial solar cell with 12 busbars, delivering up to 10.41W power output and 23.60% efficiency, used in utility-scale module assembly.
- M10 Mono 16BB TOPCON Bifacial PV Cell M10-size monocrystalline TOPCON bifacial cell with 16 busbars, achieving up to 25.70% efficiency and 8.60W power output for module manufacturers.
- G12 Mono 18BB TOPCON Bifacial PV Cell G12-format monocrystalline TOPCON bifacial cell with 18 busbars on 210mm wafers, delivering up to 11.51W power output and 26.10% efficiency, the company's highest-efficiency cell.
- G12R Mono 16BB TOPCON Bifacial PV Cell G12R-size N-Type monocrystalline TOPCON bifacial cell with 16 busbars, achieving up to 25.90% efficiency and 9.89W power output for high-efficiency module assembly.
- M10 Mono 10BB PERC Bifacial PV Cell M10 monocrystalline PERC bifacial cell with 10 busbars, delivering up to 7.76W power output and 23.50% efficiency using PERC+SE+Bifacial MBB technology.
- M6 Mono 9BB PERC Bifacial PV Cell M6-size (166mm) monocrystalline PERC bifacial cell with 9 busbars, achieving up to 6.37W power output and 23.30% efficiency.
- M10 Mono 10BB TOPCON Bifacial PV Cell M10 monocrystalline TOPCON bifacial cell with 10 busbars and SE technology, delivering up to 8.38W power output and 25.40% efficiency.
- 72-Cell PERC Mono Module 72-cell monocrystalline PERC solar module with 5BB cell technology, delivering up to 390W power output and 19.8% efficiency for commercial and utility installations.
- 72-Cell Poly Module 72-cell polycrystalline solar module with 5BB cell technology, providing up to 340W power output and 17.2% efficiency for cost-sensitive installations.
- 72-Cell Bifacial Mono PERC Double Glass Module 72-cell bifacial monocrystalline PERC module with double glass construction, delivering up to 385W power output and 19.4% efficiency for utility-grade and harsh-environment deployments.
- 60-Cell Bifacial Mono PERC Double Glass Module 60-cell bifacial monocrystalline PERC module with double glass design, achieving up to 320W power output and 19.2% efficiency for commercial and industrial rooftops.
- 72-Cell Half-Cell Poly Module 72-cell half-cut polycrystalline module with PERC technology, providing up to 345W power output and 17.2% efficiency with reduced shading losses.
- 72-Cell Half-Cell PERC Mono Module 72-cell half-cut monocrystalline PERC module delivering up to 405W power output and 20.2% efficiency with reduced temperature coefficients for high-yield installations.
- 60-Cell PERC Mono Module 60-cell monocrystalline PERC module with 5BB technology, delivering up to 325W power output and 19.7% efficiency for commercial and residential-scale installations.
- 60-Cell Poly Module 60-cell polycrystalline solar module with 5BB technology, providing up to 285W power output and 17.3% efficiency for cost-sensitive residential and small commercial installations.
- 60-Cell Half-Cell PERC Mono Module 60-cell half-cut monocrystalline PERC module with 5BB cell technology, delivering up to 335W power output and 19.9% efficiency for commercial rooftops.
- 60-Cell Half-Cell Poly Module 60-cell half-cut polycrystalline module with 5BB technology, providing up to 290W power output and 17.2% efficiency for residential and small commercial projects.
Quantifiable outcome
- Cell efficiency up to 26.10% for G12 TOPCON bifacial cells
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Lightway Solar
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Lightway Solar technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Lightway Solar partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Lightway Solar competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Risen Energy: Chinese PV cell and module manufacturer with TOPCON/HJT roadmap and global distribution. Comparable mid-tier Chinese PV manufacturer targeting similar utility and C&I customers in international markets.
- LONGi Green Energy: Leading Chinese monocrystalline silicon wafer and cell/module manufacturer with deep vertical integration. Comparable as a TOPCON/HJT-focused cell manufacturer serving utility-scale and commercial solar markets globally.
- JA Solar Technology: Major Chinese manufacturer of solar cells and modules with a global sales footprint and a similar TOPCON/PERC cell portfolio. Highly comparable as a mid-to-large Chinese PV manufacturer targeting utilities and C&I customers across 100+ countries.
- Canadian Solar: Vertically integrated solar manufacturer with cell and module production plus project development. Direct comparable in cell/module technology (TOPCON), global customer reach, and exposure to utility-scale and C&I segments.
- Tongwei Solar: Major Chinese polysilicon-to-cell integrated PV manufacturer with TOPCON cell production at scale. Comparable in cell manufacturing technology, vertical integration ambitions, and Chinese manufacturing footprint.
- JinkoSolar: One of the world's largest vertically integrated solar PV manufacturers with TOPCON N-type cells and modules. Direct peer in cell/module manufacturing technology, customer base (utilities, developers), and global distribution.
- Trina Solar: Global tier-1 Chinese PV manufacturer producing TOPCON cells, bifacial modules, and utility-scale solutions. Comparable across product portfolio, technology roadmap (N-type TOPCON), and enterprise sales motion across international markets.
Broad incumbents
- Suntech Power: Historic Chinese PV manufacturer (founded in Wuxi) now operating at smaller scale after restructuring. Comparable as a Chinese PV cell/module manufacturer, though currently positioned at a smaller scale than during its tier-1 era.
- First Solar: US-based thin-film (CdTe) PV module manufacturer with utility-scale focus. Comparable as a global PV module supplier serving utilities, but differentiates via thin-film technology versus Lightway's crystalline silicon approach.
- Hanwha Qcells: Korean-headquartered PV manufacturer with TOPCON cell production and global module sales. Comparable as an established PV manufacturer with TOPCON technology, broader geographic footprint, and tier-1 customer relationships.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Lightway Solar social profiles
Digital presenceLightway Solar compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance8 records
Lightway Solar financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Lightway Solar leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Lightway Solar funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Lightway Solar M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Lightway Solar
What does Lightway Solar do?
Lightway Solar manufactures and sells high-quality photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules produced from monocrystalline and polycrystalline silicon wafers. The product portfolio spans M6, M10, M10+, G12, and G12R cell sizes using TOPCON and PERC bifacial technologies, alongside standard, half-cell, and bifacial double-glass modules, all built under ISO9001/ISO14001 quality systems with TUV/UL/CE certifications. The company operates four mainland China manufacturing entities plus two Hong Kong sales companies, with annual capacity of 8GW for cells and 2GW for modules sold to utilities, developers, and commercial customers in 100+ countries.
Is Lightway Solar a public or private company?
Lightway Solar is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Lightway Solar founded?
Lightway Solar was founded in 2006. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Lightway Solar based?
Lightway Solar is headquartered in Shenzhen, China, in the Asia region.
How does Lightway Solar make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Solar Cell Sales are the primary driver. The others are solar Module Sales.
Who are Lightway Solar's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Risen Energy, LONGi Green Energy, JA Solar Technology, Canadian Solar, Tongwei Solar, JinkoSolar and Trina Solar. Broad incumbents are Suntech Power, First Solar and Hanwha Qcells.
Does Lightway Solar have an API?
No public API is recorded for Lightway Solar.
What industry is Lightway Solar in?
Lightway Solar's product category is Photovoltaic Cells and Modules. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAMAHAA, Solar PV Module & Cell Manufacturing (Crystalline, Thin-Film), with a secondary code of EUAMABAD, Solar PV Module Manufacturing (Cells, Modules, Thin-Film). Its NAICS code is 334419 and its SIC code is 3674.