In a webinar conducted by EQ Magazine, Sai Charan Kuppili, Technical Director – Jinko Solar discussed the competitive advantages of Tiger Neo N-Type TOPCon Module.
The webinar was conducted by EQ International Magazine on the topic “PV Module Tech for Tiger Neo N-Type TOPCon Module” and sponsored by Jinko Solar. It included discussion over the technology market trends, efficiency, system design, LCOE analysis, technical classification and advantages of N-Type TOPCon technology. The webinar was moderated by Goutam Samanta, Head PV Technology – Juniper Green Energy Pvt Ltd.
“N-type : TOPCon is optimised kind of technology which is “on TOP of P-type: PERC,” claimed Sai Charan. He further stated that the important metrics for module technology include technical and financial reliability. Ensuring enhanced reliability for six years consecutively, Jinko’s High Efficiency Technology Products has been rated number one module specific to PVEL scorecard or other Globally accredited 3rd party Reliability test reports.
P-Type Versus N-Type:
1. First Year Degradation: For P-Type, first year degradation is 2% and year on year degradation is 0.45%, whereas, for N-Type first year degradation is 1% or less and the latter can go as low as 0.4%. The reason is that products of N-type technology have a better Tunnelling mechanism.
2. N-type technology comes with high power density and more energy density. It has low irradiance performance, better than any kind of PERC technology or other P-type technologies.
3. Temperature Coefficient: For P-type the energy coefficient is -0.35% per degree C rise in temperature and for N-type it is -0.30% per degree C rise in temperature.
Combining these metrics, technology with N-type configuration will have better energy yield, energy density, power density, and power class. The N-type or TOPCon, when compared with wafer size with the same dimensions will have better values of reduced LCOE, increased energy yield and IRR figures.
4. Efficiency: With respect to mass production efficiency, the application of TOPCon technology has contributed to a new breakthrough in N-Type cells. TOPCon cells have higher efficiency limits (28.2%~28.7%), much better than PERC cells. And have better cell efficiency values with TOPCon during mass production.
Relevance in Indian or South Asian Market:
– Cell: The Indian market prefers conventional modules which generally have 72 or 78 cells and avoids the 54 or 60 cells module.
– Power: From 555/550 Watts to 600/610 Watts can be expected in both, mono-facial and bifacial with this Tiger Neo or TOPCon technology.
Classification:
PHOTO CAPTION: Classification of Technologies
Explaining the details of how this classification has happened, Sai Charan Kuppili, Technical Director at JINKO SOLAR said, “If you see our existing products of various sizes, all were initially started with P-type and gradually moving to N type in staged approach. Specific to this PERC conceptualisation, all products from P type have been utilised and have reached the maximum level of efficiency on both cell and module. Specific to modules they are just standing at around like 21.3 – 21.9% efficiency on the PERC technology. So little advancement on the same P-type technology but on TOP of PERC technology, which is what is called as N-Type : TOPCon.”
He added, “Within N-type, first generation modules are from PERT technology. PERT technology used to cater the needs of niche markets which generally used to have the capacity not beyond 5 GW capacity out of the entire 280-300 GW manufacturing capacity across the globe by 2020. There is little advancement within the PERT technology called TOPCon technology as a second generation in N-Type.”
Sai further mentioned, “If you just look at this PERT technology, it is becoming obsolete in the market and is not provided by most of the suppliers. Now TOPCon has taken the position specific to N-Type. Out of 310 GW+ capacity by 2021, out of 10-15 GW N type capacity, we can see that 60-70% is happening with TOPCon and the remaining is happening with HJT and others. So, HJT is also similar technology, which is falling in the second generation of N-Type technology but it is not completely standing beside a TOPCon technology.”
Speaking on the disadvantages of HJT, Charan stated, “HJT is there with high amount of silver paste per Wp under low operating temperatures makes less economical for mass production compared with TOPCon, which is why cost of production with TOPCon per watt is far better than when compared with HJT. Looking at the commercialisation of these kinds of technologies comparing TOPCon and HJT, TOPCon stands stronger.”
“Going forward, definitely integrated back contact circuits, Perovskite technologies etc., or specifically coming with the technology of going with intrinsic semiconductor mixing definitely comes forward. This can be expected in coming 8-12 quarters timeline with cell efficiency of around 26%-28%,” he said.
Photo Caption: Advantage of TOPCon and HJT Over PERC
Perks of PERC and TOPCon:
The tunnelling layer and specific to a passivation makes TOPCon superior to PERC technology with reduced oxidation with better CTM (Cell to Module) efficiency increases power density, reduced degradation factors and better economics sense for mass manufacturing compared with other mainstream N type Technologies” said Sai Charan.
Advantages of TOPCon Technology:
1. Degradation: First year degradation expected to be less than 1% and can reach as low as 0.5% or 0.7% with linear degradation of 0.4%.
2. Reliability: N-type is better than P-type on parameters like thermal cycle, damp heat, humidity freeze. In case of extended reliability, TOPCon provides enhanced reliability than any other commercially available PV technology.
3. Temperature Coefficient: P-type generally stands at -0.35% per degree temperature with PERC technology which comes with half cut technology. Whereas, TOPCon second generation modules of N Type like the Tiger Neo series stands at -0.3% per Degree C rise in Temperature.
4. Bifaciality & Low Irradiance Performance: In PERC bifaciality factor is beyond 70% and with TOPCon it is touching the maximum value of 85%.
5. Optimised High Efficient BOM: This technology involves optimised materials within the BOM composition. In general, flat ribbon technology is preferred however, Jinko opts for circular ribbon whether in PERC, PERT or TOPCon technology. A circular ribbon ensures extra power as compared to flat ribbon or triangular ribbon.
Compiling all the factors, specific to Indian market, minimum 3% extra energy gain can be expected with minimum premium savings of $2.4 cents/Wp from N Type: TOPCon technology compared with P Type PERC.
