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  • 1.  The New Competitive Edge: How N-Type TOPCon Solar Tech Gives You an Advantage in the Residential Solar Market

    Silver
    Contributor
    Posted 06-16-2023 07:11 PM

    Attend Solar Power World's Webinar: The New Competitive Edge - How N-Type TOPCon Solar Tech Gives You an Advantage in the Residential Solar Market on Tuesday, July 11 at 2 pm ET.

    It's official: The baton is being handed off from PERC to N-Type TOPCon solar cells. But what's the difference between the two, and why do you need to know about it? With power output and efficiency of PERC solar cells maxed out, N-Type has stepped up as the game-changer needed to advance the residential solar market to the next level.

    In this webinar, Adam and Lucas from Trina Solar US will walk you through the benefits of this exciting new PV tech to illustrate why higher efficiency, superior performance, and enhanced durability of N-Type TOPCon can give you the competitive edge to future-proof your rooftop offerings, grow your solar businesses, and accelerate residential solar adoption.

    Join us to learn how the compact but high-powered and high-efficiency design of N-Type PV modules enhances the offerings for distributors and suppliers and lets rooftop installers pack more power - and value - per rooftop PV system

    Register here!



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    Ella Nielsen
    Membership & Engagement Manager
    American Solar Energy Society
    Boulder CO
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  • 2.  RE: The New Competitive Edge: How N-Type TOPCon Solar Tech Gives You an Advantage in the Residential Solar Market

    Silver
    Contributor
    Posted 06-19-2023 12:51 PM
    Edited by william fitch 06-19-2023 12:53 PM

    These N type discussions I view as a bit over hyped.

    "And what's more, is that the rollout has begun. Trina has already integrated this technology into their Vertex N and Vertex S+ PV module models. Designed for utilities and C&I partners, the Vertex N boasts up to 590W of power, with a module efficiency of up to 22%, while the Vertex S+ has established a new standard for residential solar."

    This above cut and paste is from Trina solar's site promo. on N type structures. Sounds nice

    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                            "X21-350-BLK-E-AC                                           X21-335-BLK-E-AC                  X20-327-BLK-E-AC
    Nom. Power 5 (Pnom) 350 W                                                                 335 W                                        327 W
    Power Tol.                      +5/−0%                                                              +5/−0%                                       +5/−0%
    Module Efficiency          21.5%                                                                21.0%                                         20.4%
    Temp. Coef. (Power) −0.29%/°C                                                           −0.29%/°C                                 −0.29%/°C"

    This above cut and paste is from the SunPower Xseries mono panels tech sheet, that first hit the market in 2013 (10 years ago).

    With their copper substrates and Maxeon platform, they are probably the worlds longest lasting panel, with tech 10 years old.

    Note their module efficiency on the x21-350. 21.5%.

    Now call me crazy, but .5% increase in 10 years is nothing to get charged (Pun intended) about.

    I am not beating up on Trina here. This is why PV efficiency is viewed as pretty much stagnant for the last decade, and why cells based on multi layer and Perovskites are so REALLY exciting!

    One article reference below:

    https://www.pv-magazine.com/2023/04/07/triple-junction-perovskite-cell-hits-24-3-efficiency/

    This is just the beginning for this new cell. The maximum efficiency is over 33% and new engineering could push it into the upper 30's or maybe even 40%, combining with other advancements.

    All that being said, it is great to see all this money being plowed into PV research and improvement. Lord knows we could use it... now rather than later please.....



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    william fitch
    Owner
    www.WeAreSolar.com
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: The New Competitive Edge: How N-Type TOPCon Solar Tech Gives You an Advantage in the Residential Solar Market

    Posted 06-19-2023 03:01 PM
    Edited by Timothy Mcbride 06-20-2023 01:41 AM





  • 4.  RE: The New Competitive Edge: How N-Type TOPCon Solar Tech Gives You an Advantage in the Residential Solar Market

    Silver
    Contributor
    Posted 06-19-2023 04:19 PM

    I should also add this for context:

    https://cleantechnica.com/2014/11/22/trina-solar-achieved-new-conversion-efficiency-records-p-type-n-type-silicon-solar-cells/

    Back at the end of 2014, Trina set records for both P and N type cells, close to 10 years ago. 

    The records were  21.40% for P type and 22.9% for N type. Only 1.5% difference between the two.

    These of course were cell efficiencies not module efficiencies, which are always higher. The best you get, if you wish.



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    william fitch
    Owner
    www.WeAreSolar.com
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: The New Competitive Edge: How N-Type TOPCon Solar Tech Gives You an Advantage in the Residential Solar Market

    ASES Life Member
    Posted 06-20-2023 02:12 PM

    Bill

    Your discussion focusses only on efficiency. Yes, Sunpower Maxeon modules had that efficiency several years ago. And they are on n-type Si. The big big difference is that their interdigitated back contact (IBC) modules are also the most costly and complex to manufacture. They have complicated patterning that does not lend itself to high speed and low cost. They have always been the most expensive and highest quality product yet they have limited market share due to the priceThey have been efficiency and reliability leaders for a decade yet no other company has gone to manufacturing with a IBC cell design. What is different now with the TOPCon cell is that many leading companies have TOPCon modules either in production or factories under construction. It provides almost the same efficiency at lower cost. And the same temperature coefficient. That's why all the fuss about new n-type TOPCon module announcements. 

    Steve 



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    Steven Hegedus
    Professor and Senior Scientist
    University of Delaware
    Newark Delaware
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: The New Competitive Edge: How N-Type TOPCon Solar Tech Gives You an Advantage in the Residential Solar Market

    Silver
    Contributor
    Posted 06-20-2023 09:22 PM

    Well in all fairness, my comment is not exactly trying to 'pull a Rabbit' out of their hat, it was the hat first noted:

    "....the benefits of this exciting new PV tech to illustrate why higher efficiency, superior performance, and enhanced durability of N-Type TOPCon can give you...."

    Yes, reducing cost and simplifying production is always good, and is a standard "function" of a maturing technology curve. 

    But if you want the "claim to fame" for hyping efficiency, wait for multi junction cells and Perovskite infused cells to start hitting the market, and their continued technology ramp up. Then there will actually be some efficiency changes to brag about.

    But again, price, simplicity and sustainability are all part of the equation.



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    william fitch
    Owner
    www.WeAreSolar.com
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    Original Message