n-type mono

The PV industry roadmap - and related metrics of technology and bankability - are now being driven by leading module supplier, JinkoSolar, with others seeking to replicate Jinko’s product line options, trying to differentiate in markets that are receptive to low-cost alternatives, or focusing only on rooftop markets where volumes are lower and sales/distribution efforts are more intensive.

The PV industry is undergoing rapid technology changes that have been driven by the well documented, swift adoption of monocrystalline wafers. Less well understood is that, within this wafer technology transition comes a shift to larger wafer sizes and this includes p-type and n-type mono-Si wafers.

Trina Solar has launched a new high-performance module series using large-area n-Type monocrystalline TOPCon (Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact) cell technology in both half-cut 144 (72-cell) and 120 half-cut (60-cell) configurations.

‘Solar Module Super League’ (SMSL) member, Trina Solar has set a conversion efficiency record of 24.58% for an i-TOPCon (Industrial Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact) bifacial solar cell using a super-sized 244.62 cm2 wafer.

Monocrystalline silicon wafer producer, Tianjin Zhonghuan Semiconductor (TZS) is continuing to expand wafer capacity and implement Industry 4.0 strategies as supply remains tight as the solar industry migrates to p-Type and n-Type technologies in 2019.

Ecoprogetti has launched its new ‘Extended Spectrum, LED Sun Simulator Ed.3’ for PV panels, driving down production costs and providing key advantages to assembly lines and laboratories.

An ongoing R&D collaboration between Imec and Jolywood (Taizhou) Solar Technology Co, the PV module manufacturing arm of major PV backsheet manufacturer Jolywood (Suzhou) Sunwatt Co, have reported an n-PERT (Passivated Emitter and Rear Totally diffused) bifacial solar cell with a conversion efficiency of 23.2%, a new record.

Turkey-based renewables firm EkoRE has broken ground on the world’s first vertically integrated heterojunction (HJT) module factory in Turkey with an expected initial nameplate capacity of 1GW.

Integrated PV module manufacturer REC Group has said it invested US$150 million in developing and rolling out into volume production a new N-type monocrystalline-based heterojunction (HJ) cell that will use Meyer Burgers ‘SmartWire’ (SWCT) cell connection technology.

Specialist semiconductor and PV equipment supplier Intevac has said that it finally recognised into revenue on three of four ‘ENERGi’ solar ion implant tools, which had already been shipped to a PV manufacturing customer in China in the third quarter of 2017.