The advantages of TOPCon solar cells are as follows
The advantages of TOPCon solar cells can be discussed from both performance and economic perspectives:
Performance Advantages of TOPCon:
High Conversion Efficiency: Thanks to the unique passivated contact design of TOPCon cells, its theoretical conversion efficiency limit reaches 28.7%, while the current mass production efficiency of leading TOPCon manufacturers is already above 25.5%. This represents a significant improvement compared to mainstream PERC cells, which have a mass production efficiency of 23.5% and a theoretical limit of 24.5%.
High Bifacial Gain: TOPCon bifacial cells generate about 3% more power per watt compared to bifacial PERC cells. In the same ground-mounted solar power station scenario, this leads to higher power generation gains.
Low Temperature Coefficient: The temperature coefficient of N-type TOPCon modules is as low as -0.30%/°C, which is better than P-type modules' -0.35%/°C. This makes TOPCon cells more stable in high-temperature environments, maintaining excellent performance.
Low Degradation: The phosphorus-doped N-type crystalline silicon has very low boron content, preventing boron-oxygen complexes, which results in better degradation performance. For instance, the first-year degradation of Aikang TOPCon modules is 1%, with a linear annual degradation of 0.4%, compared to PERC modules' 2% first-year degradation and 0.45% linear degradation. This leads to a significant increase in energy yield over the entire lifecycle.
Superior Low-Light Performance: TOPCon cells have excellent power generation ability even in weak light conditions such as early morning, evening, or overcast days, as they effectively respond to both short-wavelength and long-wavelength light.
Economic Advantages of TOPCon:
High Compatibility with PERC Cell Manufacturing Process: The difficulty in upgrading technology is reduced because TOPCon can be developed based on the PERC process. The additional steps required for TOPCon production—such as boron emitter preparation, tunnel oxide layer growth, deposition of polysilicon, doping, and post-diffusion cleaning—are relatively simple, which facilitates the rapid promotion of TOPCon technology.
Smooth Production Line Transition and Low Equipment Investment: A new TOPCon production line requires an investment of 200-250 million yuan, while an HJT production line requires 350-400 million yuan. TOPCon can be easily integrated with existing PERC production lines, with only the need for additional equipment such as boron diffusion, polysilicon/amorphous silicon deposition (LPCVD/PECVD/PVD). This leads to an additional investment of only 50-70 million yuan, avoiding large-scale equipment purchases and line modifications, making it more economically viable.
Significant Price Premium for TOPCon Products: Compared to PERC modules, TOPCon modules offer higher per-watt power generation, higher generation gains, and lower system costs, which results in a significant price premium.