Reflecting on the in-house TOPCon technology improvements as the company turns into a 100% TOPCon manufacturer, Astronergy’s Product Solution Manager Sibin Yang said its strategy is to stick to TOPCon as the dominant technology for the next 3-5 years, going up to TOPCon 5.0. By then, the manufacturer could also possibly be looking at BC & HJT, added Yang at the TaiyangNews High Efficiency Solar Technologies 2024 Conference.
For the current crop of ASTRO N solar modules, Astronergy uses the TOPCon 4.0 generation with laser-induced firing. It ensures the contact between the metal and the silicon wafer while reducing the damage to the passivation layer. It also makes use of the POML technology, an upgrade of the rear poly-Si passivation technology. All of these features increase cell efficiency.
The use of a light-redirecting film enables full reflection working at a 120° angle, leading to a 2 W increase in power on the front. Yang said this reduces back shading by 30% and improves energy yield by 0.5% and mechanical performance by 3% to 6%. In addition, high-transmittance glass would enhance optical absorption.
The broad wafer size standardization to 182 mm and 210 mm sizes is enabling the market to grow with higher power output and efficiency modules. Moreover, the transition to rectangular wafer sizes of 192 x 182 mm and 210 x 182 mm has also lowered overseas shipment costs, added Yang.
Astronergy’s latest ASTRO N8 module promises a power output of up to 720 W, using the 210 x 210mm configuration with 66 cells for the utility-scale segment.
For more presentation videos and conference summaries for all 4 days of the TaiyangNews High Efficiency Solar Technologies 2024 Conference, click here for days 1 and 2, and here for days 3 and 4.