- JinkoSolar the worldโs largest solar panel producer unveiled efficiency boost roadmaps of its advanced TOPCon process.
- It includes but is not limited to front-side passivation, edge passivation, optimised metallisation and screen print, light trap technology to lock more sunlight drawn on the cell, etc.
The global market leader also confirmed that they will mass produce 26.5% efficiency TOPCon by year end and will begin mass production of 27% efficiency cells by 2025.
JinkoSolar has used AI and big data technology in its smart factories to enhance productivity and refine product quality. The company is seeking to expand its TOPCon partnerships with its equipment suppliers and with its clients to create a stronger ecosystem.
Compared to BC players, except its IP owner, from upstream makers to downstream end users taking IP risk, JinkoSolar owns the TOPConโs complete IP portfolio and is the safest supplier and chain owner. So far it has secured a portfolio of over 500 key TOPCon IPs.
With demand for high-performance modules rising, competition for technology advancement is also fierce. In the utility market, TOPConโs dominance is inevitable due to its higher bifacial factor and lower temperature coefficient. While in the residential rooftop sector which minimizes the bifacial factor advantage of TOPCon, TOPCon still has shown a 1%-2% yield gain over conventional BC modules according to a number of real-world comparison projects conducted by third parties.
โWe continue to be ahead of the technology innovation curve, and today, we are confident that our TOPCon-based technology will be instrumental in supporting the needs of our customers in all scenario applications,โ said Dany Qian, VP of JinkoSolar.
In spite of looming competition, JinkoSolar has far surpassed its rivals as the worldโs definitely largest module supplier with about 43.8GW of module shipment in H1 2024, making it increasingly difficult for its biggest competitors to catch up in the short term.
โI do see a path where TOPCon could further enhance its efficiency faster than any other roadmaps,โ Dany said. She predicted TOPCon as a platform technology will be dominant for a decade in considering TOPCon plus perovskite tandem cells after pure TOPCon.
Financial health in tough times
JinkoSolar recorded CNY 47.251 billion of revenue in the first half of 2024 and a net profit attributable to shareholders of CNY 1.2 billion, down 68.77% year on year. It shipped 43.8 GW of PV modules, including 35.9 GW of n-type modules, bringing cumulative n-type shipments to more than 100 GW. It said it expects third-quarter shipments of 23 GW to 25 GW and remains confident in reaching its full-year target of 100 GW to 110 GW. By the end of 2024, it expects 120 GW for monocrystalline wafer capacity, 95 GW of solar cells, and 130 GW of PV modules.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal