Astronergy has announced that it has received certification from TÜV Rheinland for its ASTRO N ZBB TOPCon 3.0 module, bringing mass production of ZBB TOPCon 3.0 products a significant step nearer. It also marks the first certification given by TÜV Rheinland for this product type.
ZBB (‘Zero BusBar Interconnection Technology’) can reduce usage of silver paste while enhancing module aesthetics, addressing one of the main development paths for the PV industry in combining high efficiency technological breakthroughs with a more environmentally friendly approach.
Independently developed by Astronergy, the ZBB TOPCon 3.0 module has over 20 patents incorporated in its product design, processing and material and equipment planning, stated CTO Dr Alex Hsu. Hsu added that ZBB TOPCon manufacturing can also be carried out under lower temperatures, with products compatible with thinner silicon wafers.
The technology can increase the light-receiving area of PV cells and reduce module optical loss, with the removal of the busbar providing the ZBB product with better current carrier collection efficiency and aesthetics, in addition to enabling its power output to reach 590W with an efficiency of over 22.8% while achieving a bifaciality rate of 80%.