DMEGC‘s G12R-based TOPCon modules have reached 650 W, with the company targeting 660 W using its current 3.0 technology
Cemented joints and overlapping cell interconnections are among the design changes introduced in the Infinity RT 3.0 series
The portfolio includes application-specific designs for glare reduction, hail resistance, rooftop installations, agrivoltaics, and overhead structures
Mainstream TOPCon manufacturers are increasingly focusing on module design changes to extract higher power output. These include changes in cell layout, larger wafer formats, and optimized module construction.
At the TaiyangNews Reliable PV Module Design Conference 2026, René Schüler, Head of Product Marketing Europe at DMEGC, presented the company’s design changes to improve module performance and meet application-specific requirements.
The company‘s current TOPCon portfolio covers residential, commercial and industrial (C&I), and utility-scale applications. Its main mass-production format has reached 650 W, up from 630-635 W in the previous year. DMEGC expects to increase this to 660 W next year while continuing with its 3.0 technology. The company is also evaluating 4.0 technology, although Schüler noted that potential efficiency gains must be weighed against higher investment costs and technical risks associated with multi-cutting.
Cemented joints and overlapping cell interconnections are two major design changes introduced in the Infinity RT 3.0 series. Cemented joints increase the active cell area on the front side while reducing the creepage distance. This design uses a butyl rubber layer between the glass and cell area, which acts as a barrier against oxygen and moisture entering the double-glass module.
According to Schüler, DMEGC conducted a 3,000-hour damp heat test on this design, three times the duration of the standard IEC test. Based on the company’s reported test results, the modules showed less than 3% degradation, compared with more than 5% for conventional modules.
The other change is an overlapping cell arrangement, in which one cell extends 0.5 mm into the adjacent cell string. This removes the horizontal gaps between cells while retaining the vertical gaps. Apart from increasing the active area, the arrangement also gives the module a more uniform appearance, particularly for residential applications.
DMEGC offers different configurations depending on the application and customer requirements. These include full-black modules for residential installations, as well as versions with white encapsulants for C&I applications. The company also works with inverter and mounting system manufacturers to evaluate lower-voltage module configurations that allow longer strings. This can help reduce balance-of-system (BOS) costs, though the complete system configuration needs to be considered.
Beyond cell and module efficiency, DMEGC is adapting its products to different environmental conditions. One example is its anti-glare module, introduced in 2023 for applications where reflected light can be a concern. The company reports a glare intensity of 14,000 cd/m², below the 20,000 cd/m² limit cited for aerodrome applications. Such modules can be considered for installations near airports, highways, and railway stations. DMEGC is also working with a glass manufacturer to further reduce glare intensity, targeting less than 7,000 cd/m².
Hail resistance is another area receiving attention as hail events become a concern in several markets. DMEGC offers modules with 3.2 mm front glass for hail resistance Class 4 and 4 mm glass for Class 5 under the Swiss VKF classification. The company has conducted testing with Subsea and SPF in Switzerland. Schüler noted that manufacturers need to consider higher hail resistance in product evaluations, particularly for projects exposed to severe weather conditions.
The company is also looking at module dimensions and weight, especially for residential installations. Its installer-friendly module concept uses a more compact design and weighs around 15 kg, making it easier for a single installer to handle. The company has also redesigned the aluminum frame to improve mechanical strength. An updated version using G12 rectangular wafers is planned, aiming to increase energy output from a rooftop installation while retaining a compact module format.
DMEGC‘s portfolio also includes modules designed for C&I buildings and agricultural applications. For C&I installations where lower module weight is important, the company offers a Class 4 module with additional rear support rails. The number of cells within the same module design can also be adjusted to vary transparency, which is useful for agrivoltaic installations where electricity generation needs to be balanced with crop growth and light availability.
Schüler says the company has supplied modules for agricultural projects involving livestock farming and soft-fruit cultivation in Germany and Austria, as well as projects in other regions. It is also active in greenhouse applications, where conventional module frames can be replaced with specially designed frames that fit the greenhouse structure. These include designs that allow partial opening of the greenhouse roof or integration with other structures such as carports and public spaces.
For overhead installations, DMEGC received German DIBt approval (ABZ-ABG) in 2023, following a two-year testing process, according to Schüler. The company is also working on a 3.2 mm double-glass version with G12 rectangular cells for this application, which it expects to make available in Europe in the first quarter of 2027.
Another design option under evaluation is using steel frames instead of aluminum. Steel offers higher mechanical strength and can reduce partial shading on the rear side, but it also increases module weight and logistics costs. DMEGC is assessing the option with mounting system manufacturers to check its compatibility with the overall installation structure.
Schüler emphasized that long-term reliability testing is an important part of DMEGC‘s product development process. Its testing activities include extended stress testing under IEC 63209 and other protocols, as well as long-term hail testing.
Watch the full presentation by René Schüler here.