Chinese solar PV module provider JinkoSolar recently announced that the high-efficiency n-type monocrystalline silicon single junction battery technology developed by the company’s research institute has made a major breakthrough.
The full area battery has been calibrated by the JET Testing Laboratory of Japan, an authoritative third-party testing and certification organization, and the maximum conversion efficiency has reached 25.4%. It has created a new world record for the conversion efficiency of large-area n-type monocrystalline passivated contact (TOPCon) battery for the fourth time in the past year.
Qian Jing, vice president of JinkoSolar took an interview in regarding to this achievement.
Reporter: Why do you think n-type TOPCon products will dominate the market?
Qian Jing: We believe that TOPCon technology has been very significant to the core competitiveness. In terms of efficiency, we can achieve a stable mass production efficiency of more than 24.5%. At the same time, we have a very clear route to achieve mass production efficiency of 25%. In terms of cost and product performance, we have a very clear upgrade compared with the traditional battery technology. In addition, reliability is also a concern of customers, and we have reached an advantageous position.
In terms of efficiency, taking JinkoSolar as an example, the highest efficiency of TOPCon tested and confirmed by certification bodies is 25.4%, which is a new world record. Our high-efficiency n-type battery technology has set four world records in a year and has become a benchmark leading the technological progress of the industry.
Actually we can take a product like TOPCon as a technology platform. It is not a single product and structure, but there is a lot of technology space to apply on this platform, and its overall efficiency growth space is massive.
What are the main considerations of JinkoSolar in selecting TOPCon process?
Qian Jing: In the next few years, n-type TOPCon is the best solution to help customers succeed. The performance, power, energy density and reliability are comprehensively enhanced. Taking JinkoSolar as an example, the mass production output power of single-sided TOPCon module of 182mm silicon wafer has reached 620 W, 615 W for bifacial, and the mass production efficiency is up to 22.3%. The bifacial rate is up to 85%, which is about 5-15% higher than that of p-type bifacial rate.
TOPCon module has better temperature coefficient, which makes its power generation performance particularly outstanding in high temperature environment. Its low light performance and low irradiation angle prolong the daily working time of the module. Combined with the advantages of low temperature coefficient, low attenuation and high bifacial rate, the power generation rate is about 3% higher than that of the mainstream p-type bifacial module.
Why do you think TOPCon instead of HJT will become the mainstream technology of the next generation after PERC?
Qian Jing: TOPCon and HJT are advanced technologies superior to PERC, but advanced technologies need to be transformed into production advantages, including production yield, process reliability, on-time delivery, sufficient capacity, CAPEX and OPEX to meet customer needs and production cycle. The advantages in technology and production should eventually be transformed into long-term relations with customers.
What is the cost difference between TOPCon and HJT?
Qian Jing: In addition to the equipment cost, many people think that the cost of HJT’s domestic equipment will decrease with the increase of scale in the future, but it has been eliminated by then. Then, in this time gap, we need a demand to support the scale of the demand and cultivate the demand. In terms of cost, HJT is significantly higher than TOPCon. For example, the consumption of silver slurry of HJT is 50% higher than that of TOPCon. As the price of slurry becomes more and more expensive, the cost difference between the two is becoming larger and larger. In addition, due to the influence of battery structure and process characteristics, the reliability risk of components such as DH is higher, which also increases the risk cost to customers.
Can you reveal the cost analysis of TOPCon?
Qian Jing: Photovoltaic applications is always about the cost. The most related to cost is not efficiency, but yield. At present, our mass production performance yield is the same as PERC, so we can provide such a cost guarantee.
Is there any secret technical route of JinkoSolar?
Qian Jing: There are many technical routes for further cost reduction, including great cost reduction space in terms of materials, silver slurry is the main consumables, energy consumption cost reduction is also very important, manual cost reduction, and automation and intelligent industrial upgrading can also achieve cost reduction.
