As global demand for solar energy accelerates, materials innovation is proving to be as critical as cell and module design. A prime example today is Zhejiang Dehong Carbon Fiber Composite Material Co., Ltd., a relatively new but increasingly influential player in the solar-PV materials supply chain.
Dehong staking claim in high-temperature PV thermal infrastructure
Dehong — founded in 2021 — supplies a range of high-performance carbon-carbon composite components tailored for the “solar PV thermal field.” These include carbon-carbon support rings, crucible holders, furnace heaters, insulation felts, and graphitized carbon plates.
Their components are specified for extremely high-temperature applications — for instance, furnace elements that must withstand over 2,500 °C.
The company states that its carbon-carbon composites offer superior thermal conductivity, excellent thermal-shock resistance, high mechanical strength, temperature and dimensional stability under cycling, and lightweight properties.
These attributes make Dehong’s materials particularly relevant in contexts like silicon crystal growth furnaces, where precise thermal control and stability are essential for high-quality solar-cell production.
In short: Dehong is positioning itself not as a panel-maker but as a behind-the-scenes enabler for PV manufacturing — providing the thermal backbone needed to produce high-efficiency solar cells.
Why carbon-carbon composites are becoming a strategic material in PV
The shift toward carbon-carbon (C/C) and other advanced composites in photovoltaics aligns with broader industry trends. According to recent market analysis, the global “carbon-carbon composites for photovoltaics” market is projected to reach roughly US$ 531 million in 2025, with a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 16% through 2033.
Key drivers for this growth include:
Thermal management & durability — carbon-carbon composites offer excellent thermal conductivity and stability under heat, which makes them ideal for high-temperature furnace applications in solar cell manufacturing — especially in single-crystal silicon production.
Lightweight and high strength — compared with traditional metallic or ceramic components, composites reduce weight while delivering strong structural integrity, which simplifies handling and may reduce shipping/installation costs.
Growing demand for PV manufacturing capacity — globally, manufacturing of solar PV is heavily concentrated in China. As noted by the International Energy Agency (IEA), China now dominates nearly all stages of PV manufacturing (from polysilicon to modules), helping keep global prices competitive and scaling production.
Need for high-reliability thermal infrastructure — as manufacturers push for higher-efficiency solar cells (e.g. larger wafers, single-crystal growth, advanced module types), the demands on furnace materials and thermal components increase — and carbon-carbon composites meet those demands better than many alternatives.
Thus, companies like Dehong are not just niche suppliers — they occupy a strategic bridge between raw-material supply and high-volume PV fabrication.
Market and competitive context
While Dehong is relatively new (founded 2021) and holds a portfolio of over 26 patents.
The broader carbon-composites space is seeing robust growth. Composite materials in renewable-energy applications (wind, solar, hydrogen, etc.) are estimated to represent a market of more than US$ 10 billion in 2025, with projected growth to nearly US$ 15 billion by 2030.
That said, the market remains somewhat concentrated among established players, but smaller, specialized firms — especially those focused on specialty composites for PV thermal or high-temperature applications — have increasing opportunities.
Why Dehong’s timing could be excellent
The overall solar-PV supply chain remains heavily concentrated in China, which implies strong domestic demand for components and materials.
As module makers and cell producers push for higher efficiencies and lower production costs, they increasingly need reliable, efficient thermal-management and furnace components — making high-performance carbon-carbon composites more attractive.
With global pressure to reduce carbon emissions and adopt clean energy, the demand for solar PV (and thus PV manufacturing capacity) is likely to accelerate. This in turn expands demand for components like those Dehong provides.
The composite-materials market is overall growing, and advanced composites are one of the key “technology trends” for renewable-energy infrastructure in 2025.
Challenges & What to Watch
But the path isn’t free of challenges:
Manufacturing carbon-carbon composites requires specialized processes, which can be more expensive and complex than conventional materials — this can limit adoption if cost pressures on modules remain intense.
Supply-chain constraints and quality consistency — as demand rises, ensuring steady supply of high-quality carbon fibers, resins, and precise composite manufacturing will be critical.
Competition with alternative materials — other composites (e.g. polymer-based, ceramic matrix, advanced alloys) may offer trade-offs that could be preferable in some use-cases.
What Dehong’s success could signal for the PV industry
If Dehong — and firms like it — succeed at scale, this could mark a structural shift in PV manufacturing: away from traditional metal or ceramic components toward advanced composite-based thermal infrastructure. This shift could:
Improve reliability and lifespan of solar-cell manufacturing equipment.
Lower operational costs over time (via reduced maintenance and longer component lifetimes).
Enable new PV manufacturing techniques needing more stringent thermal control (e.g. larger single-crystal ingots, advanced packaging).
Support the global solar-PV scale-up needed to meet increasing demand for clean energy, especially in high-tech contexts.
