Trina says new solar cell technology will take efficiency to 30 pct, and beyond

Chinese solar giant Trina Solar has unveiled its new n-type i-TOPCon Advanced technology which boasts an efficiency rating of 26%, but which also paves the way for increasing solar efficiency beyond 30%.

Solar companies are always pushing the efficiency of their solar panels, aiming for greater ability to convert the sun’s rays into energy.

What is particularly important about Trina Solar’s latest announcement, however, is its belief that it is now on track to see efficiency surpass 30% – a potential milestone for the industry.

Trina Solar has unveiled the latest generation of its Vertex n-type series which is set to be upgraded from next year, and which will boast the most powerful module in the series generating more than 700W.

The company’s new n-type solar cells achieve efficiency of 26% in mass production and implement four new innovations, including the 210R rectangular cell, the selective boron emitter, the backside microstructure reflector, and the highly doped TOPCon structure with PECVD.

Looking forward, Trina says that the application of front-side full passivation contact cell technology will allow its n-type cells with i-TOPCon Ultra technology to exceed 27% efficiency.

Moreover, with the implementation of i-TOPCon tandem technology, Trina Solar believes cell efficiency could eventually surpass 30%.

Trina Solar’s new Vertex n-type series are not made equal across the board, with three power classes for three different applications, including the promised 700W solar panels for utility-scale solar farms.

Residential rooftop Vertex S+ solar panels will be available with power output of 450W, boasting 5.88% more installation capacity for rooftops of the same area than regular n-type residential modules from its competitors.

Trina Solar also offers 605W Vertex N modules for commercial applications which offer a 13% increase in installation capacity for single-row tracker systems.

These solar panels are designed for power stations in complex terrain and C&I solar stations, and also maximise logistics costs to lower the overall costs for customers.