Driving Innovation in Solar PV: Key Trends and Technologies from the 2025 PV System Technology Trends Conference

Innovation Drives Solar PV Forward Despite Market Headwinds

The first day of the TaiyangNews PV System Technology Trends Conference 2025 highlighted the significant advancements in next-generation photovoltaic (PV) solutions, focusing on efficiency improvements, digital tools, and hybrid formats. The conference, which took place on June 24 and 26, 2025, gathered leading innovators to showcase their latest technological developments during this key global solar event.

Opening the conference, TaiyangNews Managing Director Michael Schmela emphasized the robust participation of industry leaders, particularly in light of the financial challenges currently facing the PV sector, including issues such as overcapacity and declining margins among some manufacturers. Despite these hurdles, the industry remains committed to reducing system costs and enhancing module efficiencies, with hybrid systems and digital integration becoming increasingly prominent.

On the first day, TaiyangNews Head of Technology Shravan Chunduri delivered a keynote address detailing the TOP SOLAR MODULES Listing analysis for the first half of 2025. He noted a decisive shift towards high-efficiency n-type cell architectures like IBC, HJT, and TOPCon, as traditional PERC technology phases out. AIKO leads the list with an impressive 24.4% efficiency for its all back contact (ABC) commercial module, while Huasun Energy’s 730 W module is at the forefront in terms of power output.

Charles Cheng, a Product Marketing Expert from LONGi, discussed the company’s transition across various solar cell technologies, from Al-BSF to PERC in 2017, followed by TOPCon in 2022, and now venturing into back contact (BC) technology post-2024, which offers a 1.6% efficiency boost. LONGi has achieved a certified efficiency of 27.81% for its HIBC cell technology and an impressive 34.85% for a silicon perovskite tandem solar cell. The manufacturer aims to ship 800 W+ tandem modules by 2030 and 900 W+ by 2031.

JinkoSolar’s Product Manager, Shayne Li, introduced the Tiger Neo 3.0, which builds on the company’s ambitious efficiency roadmap. This module features several advancements, achieving up to 24.8% efficiency and a 670 W output. The 20-busbar design reduces shading and hotspots, contributing to enhanced performance.

Aran Huang from Tongwei Solar’s Overseas Technical Support team expressed the company’s goal of reaching a cell efficiency of 26.5% with its upgraded TNC 2.0 technology. They are employing strategies such as zero busbar technology and advanced printing techniques to minimize power losses and enhance efficiency.

Vitor Rodrigues, Technical Director for GCL System Integration, presented the environmental benefits of the company’s proprietary FBR silicon process, which utilizes 76% less power and has a 74% smaller carbon footprint compared to traditional methods. GCL’s new TOPCon 2.0 and 660 W back contact modules are set for commercial launch in September 2025.

DMEGC Solar’s Product Manager, Kinyang Zou, shared the company’s plans to boost module output to over 620 W by 2025 through innovations like poly-finger TOPCon cells and advanced cutting techniques.

At Intersolar Europe 2025, Weidmüller introduced the PV Inline, a compact plug-and-play surge protection device designed for small rooftop solar systems, while K2 Systems showcased upgrades to its PV mounting solutions to accommodate larger modules and thinner frames.

Lastly, Volker Biemann from MBJ Solutions GmbH unveiled the portable MBJ Quickcheck, a mobile device for onsite solar module inspection, capable of providing real-time electroluminescence imaging in daylight conditions, streamlining mobile PV diagnostics.

As the solar PV industry navigates current market challenges, the focus on innovation continues to drive progress and redefine the future of solar energy.