Back-Contact Modules Break the 25% Barrier as Solar’s Efficiency Race Accelerates

Düsseldorf / Hyderabad | June 25, 2026

The top efficiencies of commercially available solar modules have crossed a new threshold, with back-contact (BC) products reaching 25% for the first time, according to the 8th edition of the TaiyangNews TOP SOLAR MODULES Analysis.

The edition draws data from over 2.5 years (30 editions) of the monthly TOP SOLAR MODULES that we have published - from January 2024 to June 2026, where we have tracked commercially available high-efficiency modules from leading integrated cell and module manufacturers across the mainstream cell technologies – TOPCon, BC, heterojunction (HJT), and PERC – with efficiency as the central metric for technology progress, product competitiveness, and broader industry trends.

Over the 30-month period, the number of listed products declined from 55 in January 2024 to 38 in June 2026, and represented companies fell from 33 to 31 – a contraction driven primarily by the continued phase-out of PERC products and a few company exits. The remaining portfolio has become increasingly concentrated around higher-efficiency products.

Key Findings

-     The first 25% efficiency club has arrived. H1 2026 marked a milestone as AIKO and LONGi each commercialized 25% efficiency modules – the first time any product reached this level in the listing. BC technology continues to dominate the top ranks.

-     TOPCon has crossed 24% for the first time. JA Solar’s TOPCon module holds the 3rd rank at 24.1%, the first TOPCon product to surpass the 24% efficiency threshold. HJT also advanced, with Risen improving the technology’s commercial module efficiency to 23.8%. 

-     High-efficiency products are now the majority. The top efficiency band (>22.5%) grew from 16% of the listing in January 2024 to 53% by the end of H1 2026, while the lowest band continued to shrink through delistings and upgrades.

-     The technology mix is shifting. TOPCon now accounts for 53% of listed products, up from 33%; HJT for 18%; and BC for just 5% despite leading on efficiency, highlighting its exclusivity. PERC declined from 44% to 24% as legacy products are phased out, with its highest remaining efficiency easing slightly to 21.6% due to delistings rather than any technology change.

-     The power gap is narrowing. HJT products historically held a clear advantage in absolute power ratings, but advances in TOPCon and BC have steadily closed the gap, extending competition among technologies beyond efficiency alone.

Quotes

“The arrival of the first 25% efficiency club is a defining moment for the industry. What stands out across these 30 editions is not a single record, but the steady migration of the entire portfolio toward advanced architectures – the high-efficiency band has gone from a niche to the majority of the listing,” said Michael Schmela, Managing Director of TaiyangNews.

“The data shows the competition broadening. BC leads on efficiency at 25%, TOPCon has crossed 24% for the first time, and HJT has reached 23.8% – and with power gap diminishing, manufacturers can no longer compete on efficiency in isolation,” said Shravan Chunduri, Head of Technology at TaiyangNews.

The report is available for free download on the TaiyangNews website here.

About TaiyangNews

TaiyangNews – All About Solar is a global online solar news platform focused on technology. We offer comprehensive coverage of market trends, technology advancements, and policy developments on our website and through regular online conferences and reports, empowering our audience to make informed decisions in the ever-evolving solar energy landscape.

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