Chinese solar module manufacturer JinkoSolar has reported a new world record efficiency for n-type TOPCon large area modules of more than 2 sq m. Germany's TÜV SÜD has supported its claim for up to 24.76% as the world's highest efficiency of modules certified by a 3rd party to date.
Additionally, the company has also announced 32.33% conversion efficiency for perovskite-silicon stacked tandem n-type TOPCon cells. This, it says, has been tested by the Shanghai Institute of Microsystems and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
It managed the tandem efficiency using a complete set of the company's independently developed n-type HOT high-efficiency passivated contact cells or TOPCon as the bottom cell. Using this, it developed a new intermediate composite stacked structure and perovskite bulk passivation improvement technology. On its WeChat channel, the team says it achieved a high transmission flux without any hysteresis effect.
"Using TOPCon as the bottom battery and perovskite to achieve high-efficiency stacked batteries has advantages in process implementation. TOPCon, because of its excellent high-temperature stability, can provide better selection of functional materials for each layer of the top perovskite battery," explained JinkoSolar CTO Dr. Jin Hao.
Encouraged by the improvement in tandem cell efficiency, JinkoSolar said it expects TOPCon as the mainstream PV technology over the next 3 to 5 years, and can be perfectly integrated with next generation stacking technology to break through the monocrystalline silicon cell efficiency ceiling.
Recently, JinkoSolar's competitor LONGi set a new world record efficiency of 33.9% for crystalline silicon and perovskite tandem cell (see LONGi Announces Impressive Tandem Solar Cell World Record).
JinkoSolar's 24.76% module efficiency record follows the 26.89% world record efficiency it achieved for cells of 182 mm n-type monocrystalline silicon in October 2023 (see New Solar Cell Record From JinkoSolar).
JinkoSolar says it managed the 24.76% module efficiency by leveraging its record cell efficiency featuring improvements at processing, such as advanced TOPCon cell metallization enhancement, energy particle volume passivation and high-efficiency light trapping passivation contact, along with high-density module packaging technology.
Without sharing too many details, the Chinese company says this high TOPCon module efficiency points to the future direction of the n-type technology for the industry. However, JinkoSolar's highest efficiency claim is only true in the "TOPCon category," as Risen has announced reaching an efficiency of 23.89% with its HJT technology corresponding to a module power of 741.456 W in February 2023, which is also verified by TÜV SÜD (see Risen Energy Hits 23.899% Efficiency For HJT Modules).
According to the company's technology roadmap, by the end of 2023, it aims to achieve an average efficiency of 25.8% for its TOPCon cells in mass production, leading to an overall module efficiency of 26.5% for modules. Further on, the team will target 27% efficiency with production and material optimization, to eventually reach 27% to 27.5% over the next 2 to 3 years (see Solid Financial Results For JinkoSolar In Q3/2023).
In August 2022, Trina Solar announced 24.24% aperture module efficiency for a very large n-type TOPCon cell based module (see Trina Solar Reports 24.24% Module Efficiency Record).