Trina Solar’s State Key Laboratory (SKL) of PV Science and Technology (PVST) of China has confirmed the solar company has set a new world record of 24.58% for a high-efficiency n-type mono-crystalline silicon i-TOPCon solar cell.
The record-breaking bifacial solar cell was fabricated on a large-sized 244.62 sq-cm wafer with a low-cost industrial process of advanced i-TOPCon (Industrial Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact) technologies, having a front boron emitter and a rear full-area passivating contact. The bifacial solar cell reached a total-area front side efficiency of 24.58%, without using any dedicated aperture during the illumination. This result has been independently confirmed by the ISFH CalTeC in Germany.
“We are very delighted to announce the latest achievement from our research team at the SKL PVST. To the best of our knowledge, this is the new world record for a total area efficiency for a large-area two-side contact silicon solar cell,” said Jifan Gao, the CEO of Trina Solar. “The excellent R&D results lays a solid foundation for Trina to provide a new differentiated high-end PV modules and solutions to our customers.”
News item from Trina Solar
Once again, China has emerged as a front runner in solar PV technology. So, will the ‘new norm’ be 22 to 23% efficiency in mass production quantities? It seems like in past articles, Trina as well as Yingli are about to bring out complete systems that include the solar PV panels, Inverter with an ESS battery energy storage system as a packaged kit. Tariffs are beginning to roll off and by 2020 should be only around 5% unless the tariffs are once again increased. If this trend keeps going and with the new spray on perovskite films that can gain another 5% to 8% solar gain, one could see that elusive 30% + solar PV panel in just a few years. Being able to install the same area of roof space that once put out 7kW peak and make 10kW peak or more will be a game changer. Folks will actually consider a much larger solar PV system with larger energy storage, perhaps on the order of 75 to 125kWh battery systems for almost 24 hour energy use for one’s home.
@kelly and @Solarman
so, What is the anti-dumping tariff for Trina solar panels imported from China to the USA in the next few months?
Bifacial imports are excluded from the general 25% solar tariff, but all Chinese module imports have a 25% tariff. So, excluding any existing anti-dumping duties, Trina bifacial modules have a 25% tariff while monofacial Trina modules have a 50% tariff.