VIEW FROM THE TOP
EXCELLENCE, DEDICATION AND EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS IN MEXICO’S PV MARKET ÁLVARO GARCÍA-MALTRÁS President of Trina Solar Latin America and the Caribbean
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Q: What is your assessment of the design and evolution of
five years. Demand is higher than expected and the supply
the long-term electricity auctions?
of raw materials compliant with the quality standards
A: The level of participation and price levels resulting
Trina Solar requires is limited. This particular context has
from the auctions allow us to consider them as highly
impacted diverse agents across the global value chain,
successful. Significant competitive levels were attained and
which is why Trina Solar is waiting for this situation to
the participation of different local and international players
stabilize and provide the certainty required to carry out its
was such that the preliminary projects presented close to
next strategic investments.
triple the awarded power levels. Q: How did Trina Solar break its previous solar cell It should be highlighted that PV solar technology has
efficiency record?
consolidated as the most successful during these auctions
A: Trina Solar is quite proud of these technological
thanks in part to its ease of installment, competitiveness,
milestones. In fact, since 2011, our company has broken the
reduced environmental impact and reliability. Auction
solar cell efficiency world record 16 times, improving its own
results confirm it is viable to significantly increase the
track record on several occasions. These breakthroughs
weight of renewable energy in the country’s national energy
are obtained not only with significant investments in R&D
mix without sacrificing its competitiveness nor service
that Trina Solar allocates every year, but also, and more
quality. Adding to this the feasibility of much quicker
importantly, by following a philosophy of excellence,
initial operation time for solar generation plants compared
dedication and improvement that is highly ingrained at all
to other conventional technologies enables the country to
levels of our company. Only with continuous and consistent
adapt supply to demand efficiently.
dedicated efforts toward improving every day can we remain in a position of leadership in a technology-intensive
Another element worthy of note is the fact that the results
industry such as solar PV. Top-tier technology is a major
obtained in these auctions have also served to promote
component in the added value Trina Solar offers.
different private initiatives by electricity consumers that have decided to bet on this type of technology,
Q: What other key areas are you developing through your
especially PV solar, to guarantee its long-term electricity
R&D department besides solar cell efficiency?
supply in economically-competitive conditions and active
A: Trina Solar has its very own R&D Center, certified by
contribution to the environment’s protection. The auction
major international conglomerates TÜV Rheinland and
system has shown the convenience of investing in these new
UL as well as an elite scientific team, which among other
clean energy-producing technologies. This message has
achievements has contributed to Trina Solar patenting 795
been sent to diverse economic sectors in Mexico, resulting
products and solutions. Our company works tirelessly in
in a significant increase in their use for other applications,
developments facilitating the access of PV solar technology,
such as energy supply contracts with private consumers
which in our understanding will benefit humanity in
or residential, commercial and industrial installations, to
providing a competitive, efficient and clean energy solution.
name a few.
It is in that spirit that Trina Solar is developing new products and improvements over those existing to date. Pertaining
Q: How is Trina Solar's manufacturing plant project going?
to solar modules, we are advancing in new technologies,
A: Trina Solar is a PV solar energy leader worldwide. It is
conferring them added resistance and reliability, such
always part of our strategy to actively contribute to solar
as double-crystal modules, as well as lighter models for
market development wherever the conditions are present
specific applications or even equipped with more advanced
to guarantee investments. Globally, the paradigm of the PV
power electronics to be able to monitor each module
market in 2017 has been quite special compared to the last
individually and optimize its production.
