Breakthrough in Solar Module Efficiency
China-based Trina Solar has achieved a significant milestone in solar technology, setting a new world record for the conversion efficiency of its advanced solar modules. The company announced on Monday that its n-type fully passivated heterojunction (HJT) solar modules attained a remarkable efficiency of 25.44%. This achievement, validated by the Fraunhofer CalLab in Germany, showcases the potential of HJT modules as a cutting-edge solution for harnessing solar energy.
Passivation, a crucial technology in solar cells, involves addressing surface defects to enhance performance. Higher cell efficiency, measured as the percentage of sunlight converted into electricity, plays a pivotal role in minimizing installation sizes and lowering overall costs. According to Professor Martin Green from the University of New South Wales, this breakthrough underscores the promising future of HJT solar technology as the industry shifts towards next-generation solutions.
Industry Perspectives on Solar Technology
Professor Green, a leading authority whose lab held solar efficiency records for years, emphasized the long-term importance of efficiency in driving technological adoption. He noted that while some advanced methods may initially incur higher costs, they tend to become more affordable as the industry scales production.
Trina Solar’s achievement highlights the growing competition among various solar technologies. HJT, known for its potential to revolutionize solar energy, is vying with other approaches, including TopCON (tunnel oxide passivated contact) cells, to dominate the market. Industry experts predict that TopCON cells will continue to hold the majority share of the high-efficiency solar cell market over the next five years.
Trina Solar’s Vision for the Future
Gao Jifan, Trina Solar’s chairman and CEO, expressed the company’s commitment to advancing passivated solar technology through continuous research and development. This focus aims to sustain Trina Solar’s leadership in the renewable energy sector and address global energy challenges.
Despite its groundbreaking potential, HJT technology currently represents a modest share of the market. Solar consultancy InfoLink projects HJT’s contribution to high-efficiency solar cell capacity to grow from 7% in 2024 to 9% in 2026. Trina Solar’s latest achievement is expected to accelerate interest in HJT modules, signaling a step forward in the transition to more efficient, sustainable solar energy solutions.
