IBC modules improved their efficiency range by 1.4 percentage points over 2 years, with the upper limit increasing from 22.8% to 24.2%
AIKO achieved a record 24.2% efficiency in May 2024, followed by Maxeon at 24.1%
In 2023, AIKO entered the market with 23.6% efficiency, LONGi improved to 23.2%, and Maxeon upgraded its module to 23%
SPIC upgraded its IBC technology in September 2023, combining it with TOPCon, achieving a 0.5% efficiency gain to reach 22.8%
Interdigitated Back Contact (IBC) solar modules realized the highest efficiency delta improvement over the last 2 years, considering both the upper limit all along the 2-year period as well as the difference between the upper and lower limits at the end of 2024, which is the same at 1.4 percentage points. Diving into details, in 2024, the efficiency band for IBC remained consistent from January to April, with a lower limit of 22.8% and an upper limit of 24%. In May, AIKO raised the upper limit to 24.2%, setting a new benchmark for IBC efficiency. This record efficiency remained unchanged for the rest of the year, solidifying IBC's position as a leader in module efficiency (see IBC Technology: Efficiency Leader With Limited Representation In 2024).
In 2023, IBC’s efficiency range saw some significant developments. In March, the upper limit increased to 23.6% and further improved to 24% by June. From September onwards, the lower limit also rose to 22.8%, narrowing the efficiency range. This 22.8% to 24% range remained steady through the end of 2023 and into early 2024.
Moving on to the companies and their respective efficiencies, the IBC efficiency landscape saw 2 significant developments in May 2024. AIKO continued its legacy with the commercialization of its Comet 2U series, achieving a record-breaking 24.2% efficiency, reaffirming its lead among IBC products. AIKO improved the efficiency from an already high base of 24%. Simultaneously, Maxeon Solar, a pioneer in back-contact technology, commercialized a 24.1% efficiency module, taking the 2nd position in the TOP SOLAR MODULES listing. These advancements remained untouched for the rest of the year, as did the remaining IBC product portfolio with LONGI at 23.2% and SPIC at 22.8%.
The most prominent development in IBC in 2023 was AIKO’s debut in our TOP SOLAR MODULES listing. The company made headlines in March with a module series surpassing 23% efficiency, actually reaching 23.6% efficiency. The very next month, in April, LONGi improved the efficiency of its HPBC commercial modules to 23.2% from the 22.8% level it shared with Maxeon. This propelled LONGi to the second-highest position in both IBC as well as in the entire TOP SOLAR MODULES list. AIKO once again shocked the industry when it broke its own record in June by introducing a 24% efficiency commercial module based on the IBC architecture in June 2023. In August, Maxeon improved its efficiency from 22.8% to 23%. Then, SPIC upgraded its IBC technology in September to base it on TOPCon, realizing an absolute efficiency gain of 0.5% by attaining 22.8% efficiency, improving from the 22.3% level. The status quo remained so through the end of 2023 and continued till April 2024 (see HJT Technology Trends In TOP SOLAR MODULES Analysis 2024).
The TaiyangNews TOP SOLAR MODULES 2024 Report summarizes the key findings from over 24 editions published during 2023 and 2024. Download the free report here.