Harnessing the Sun: Breakthroughs in TOPCon Solar Cells Illuminate a Sustainable Future

In a significant breakthrough for renewable energy, a research team led by Prof. Ye Jichun from the Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering (NIMTE) has achieved a remarkable 26.09% efficiency in industrial Tunnel Oxide Passivating Contact (TOPCon) solar cells. This accomplishment not only boosts efficiency but also reduces costs and enhances bifacial performance, marking an important milestone in solar technology.

TOPCon solar cells have become a mainstream choice in the crystalline silicon photovoltaic market, boasting a significant global market share due to their high power conversion efficiency (PCE) and cost-effectiveness. However, their advancement has been hindered by high silver paste consumption, parasitic optical loss, and limited bifacial performance. To address these challenges, the NIMTE team introduced a combination of innovative techniques that are directly applicable to large-scale manufacturing.

The research team utilized industrial M10 silicon wafers along with a steel-stencil printing process to create ultra-narrow metal fingers on the cell’s front, reducing silver paste usage by 0.12 mg per watt. This innovation is complemented by a specialized silver paste that forms dense nanosilver clusters, thereby reducing contact resistivity to an impressive 2.4 milliohm-centimeters. Additionally, on the rear side, a localized polysilicon contact design was implemented to minimize optical absorption, significantly boosting the cell’s bifaciality to approximately 90%.

These advancements have led to industrial TOPCon solar cells achieving a certified power conversion efficiency of 26.09%. This leap forward demonstrates that the previous compromise between efficiency, cost, and bifacial performance—a significant limitation in earlier versions of TOPCon technology—can be effectively overcome.

In conclusion, this research presents a scalable and sustainable approach to manufacturing high-performance, cost-effective TOPCon solar cells. By reducing silver usage and improving bifacial capabilities, these advances promise to bolster the growth and appeal of solar energy as a formidable alternative. This progress supports the global quest for cleaner energy sources, underscoring the pivotal role solar technology will play in our sustainable future.