What is TOPCon solar panel

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Solar panels are constantly evolving and for some time now you may encounter solar panels with N-type TOPCon technology on the market. What does this abbreviation stand for? These are N-type solar panels with Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact (TOPCon), this technology adds a small layer of silicon oxide at the rear contacts This prevents charge carrier recombination that causes power loss at the rear of the cell. After this layer, a thin layer of highly doped silicon is applied, this provides better conductivity and reduces losses. With this technology, the panels can achieve efficiencies of up to 25%.

The technology was introduced by scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems in Freiburg back in 2013, but it took several years before the first TOPCon modules hit the market.

The technology is increasingly coming to the fore and replacing older solar panel technologies. It is estimated that the technology will reach up to 60% of the solar panel market share by 2033.

Main advantages of N-type TOPCON:

• Almost the same manufacturing process as the older P-type modules
• Vyšší účinnost která může dosáhnout až 25%
• Higher efficiency which can reach up to 25%
• They have a lower temperature coefficient and thus better withstand weather conditions
• Better efficiency for bifacial panels
• Higher performance at lower illumination

Sources:

https://www.alternergy.co.uk/blog/post/topcon-solar-cells

https://www.solarwatt.com/knowledge-base/topcon-solar-cells

https://www.kschan.com/what-is-a-topcon-solar-cell/