IBC technology saw a steady rise, with power reaching 655 W in H1 2024 through advancements in wafer formats and efficiencies
Although TOPCon started with high-power modules, power ratings fluctuated as manufacturers shifted to smaller, rectangular wafers, impacting maximum output
HJT technology, focused on larger G12 wafers, reached record-breaking power with modules achieving 715 W by H1-2024
PERC modules hit a power ceiling at 675 W, maintaining stable top power levels, with new entrants to the market but few power advancements due to technological limitations
TaiyangNews’ TOP SOLAR MODULES Analysis report evaluates modules by efficiency and power ratings, with Chapter 6 dedicated to advancements in power output. In the previous article, we covered the Top 3 High Power Solar Modules; now, we delve into the highest power ratings achieved across each solar cell technology.
When it comes to top power in each of the cell technologies, TOPCon technology was at the top at the beginning of 2022 with Jolywood offering a power rating of 700 W. In November 2022, the product’s power was downgraded to 440 W, while maintaining its efficiency. As a result, EGing’s 685 W module topped the November listing and kept its place through the first half of 2023. However, EGing also went the Jolywood way by replacing the module with lower power but with improved efficiency in July. This put the modules from Runergy and Suntech, featuring for the first time, at the top. The very next month, the latest generation TOPCon modules from DAS Solar and JA Solar, with a slightly higher power of 630 W, were the most powerful modules of the segment. Even this was short-lived as Trinasolar commercialized a 700 W module in September that remained the TOPCon module with the highest rated power till now. One reason for TOPCon not achieving high power is that most mainstream TOPCon followers adopted rectangular wafer formats that are smaller than G12, thus delivering relatively lower power.
In contrast, the leading HJT makers are focusing heavily on the G12 format. However, the power journey of this technology started at a rather low level, and it was mostly the HJT pioneer Huasun that also led the power segment. The most powerful HJT module had a rated power of 480 W till March 2022, increased to 580 W in April and then again to 700 W in June. Akcome also joined this power class in August; however, the rated power of its product reduced to 690 W only 4 months later in December, leaving the top position to Huasun alone which it enjoyed till June 2023. In July, Risen joined the club with a 700 W HJT module. But then in September, Huasun commercialized an even more powerful module of 715 W, as did Tongwei in December 2023. The duo still represents the best power class not just in the HJT segment but in the entire TOP SOLAR MODULES listing.
PERC technology has the most stable top power ratings, meaning the technology has hit its threshold. Its top power of 670 W was maintained through the end of 2022. However, the companies offering such products changed track with time. A total of 6 PERC products featured in the January 2022 list with a power of 670 W from CSI, EGing, Risen, Suntech, Talesun, and Trinasolar. In February, 1 product was added from Yingli, and 1 from Seraphim in March 2022, and the list remained unchanged for the coming months. The next change took place in November when Jinergy also joined the club. However, in December 2022, CSI introduced a 675 W module, which became the only PERC product to reach such a high power rating. While 675 W continued to be the top level, in April 2023, Risen also introduced a 675 W module, sharing the top rank with CSI.
Coming to IBC technology, the most powerful module in January 2022 was a ‘residential rooftop size’ 430 W module offered by Maxeon. In February, SPIC promoted a 470 W module, but the product specs were removed from its website, thus a 435 W rated module replaced the previous product in our listing. In the same month, Maxeon improved its module slightly to 440 W, which took the top spot in March and continued its lead until September.
In October 2022, LONGi entered the IBC league with a product built with 144 cells based on the M10 wafer format that not only had the top efficiency in the segment but also a larger format and the highest power of 590W..Then in March 2023, AIKO’s ABC module series featured a higher power of 610 W, which was even increased to 620 W in June. This remained the case till the end of the year. As for H1 2024, the highest efficiency IBC module from AIKO, introduced in May, had an accompanying power boost to 655 W, which remained the top IBC module for this time frame.