Chinese PV module maker Longi announced it was able to improve the efficiency of its tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) solar cell by 0.12% in just one month.
According to the manufacturer, the Institute for Solar Energy Research in Hamelin (ISHF), Germany, has confirmed that the efficiency of its commercial-sized monocrystalline, n-type, bifacial product has been raised from 25.09% to 25.21%. No technical details were disclosed on how the result was achieved.
Longi also announced it achieved two more efficiency records.
It claimed to have reached a power conversion efficiency of 25.02% for a p-type monocrystalline bifacial TOPCon solar cell and explained it is the first time that a cell based on this technology surpasses the 25% barrier. Furthermore, it said to have achieved a 25.26% efficiency for a monocrystalline heterojunction solar cell.
The manufacturer added that both results were confirmed by the ISHF and did not give an explanation for the technical improvements.
“With the ambitious goals we have set for ourselves, our approach is to stay close to the essence of technology by selecting the best technical route, maximizing product performance potential and proactively ushering in the changes needed to achieve the technical transformation,” said Li Hua, head of the company’s Cell R&D Center.
Longi is currently the world’s biggest solar manufacturer, by market value and sales revenue, and shipped 24.5 GW of panels last year to generate revenue of RMB54.58 billion ($8.43 billion). At the turn of the year, the company boasted annual production capacities of 85 GW, 30 GW and 50 GW for its mono wafers, cells and panels, respectively.
