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Chinese TOPCon solar cell efficiency breakthrough

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2026-08-23 03:07 UTC → 2026-08-24 19:09 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Researchers from the Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Soochow University have developed a new metallisation method for Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact (TOPCon) silicon solar cells. The technique utilizes an aluminium-free silver paste combined with laser-enhanced contact optimisation (LECO) to achieve a certified power-conversion efficiency of 26.31%. This method allows for ultra-thin, high-aspect-ratio gridlines and eliminates the high-temperature firing step that typically damages the passivation layer. As detailed in a study published in the journal Matter, the LECO method uses high-precision laser beams to apply heat only to specific electrical contact points rather than using industrial ovens to heat the entire plate. This prevents damage to the silicon’s protective film and reduces surface shadowing, allowing for greater light capture. Because the process can be integrated into existing production lines, it offers a cost-effective way to increase photovoltaic panel performance without requiring major factory retooling. The technology is already impacting global markets; for instance, Filipe Ferraz, a director at Grupo Solare in Brazil, noted that the increase in module power density—moving from 330 W to 610 W models in similar spaces—has “significantly transformed the sector.”

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