Innovative Solutions to Break Free from Industry Homogeneity: Tongwei TNC Sets New Records in Solar Power Technology

How Can Innovation Solve the Problem of Homogenization? Tongwei TNC, a Record-Setting Leader, Provides the Answer!

On April 24, 2025, the energy sector witnessed a significant milestone as Tongwei Co., a leading player in the photovoltaic industry, once again broke the world records for the efficiency and power of two mainstream TOPCon module types. The TNC-G12R module achieved a front power output of 682.8W, surpassing the market average for similar products by approximately 60W, with a conversion efficiency of 25.28%. Meanwhile, the TNC-G12 module reached a power output of 778.5W, also exceeding the mainstream market production by around 60W, with a conversion efficiency of 25.06%. Notably, this achievement comes just three months after Tongwei last set records in these categories.

On December 25 of the previous year, Tongwei’s photovoltaic technology center announced that the TNC G12-66 module reached a front power output of 763.4W with a conversion efficiency of 24.58%, and the TNC G12R-66 module achieved 663.5W with 24.56% efficiency under standard dimensions of 23841303mm and 23821134mm, respectively. These advancements highlight Tongwei’s impressive technical innovation capabilities and raise the bar for how photovoltaic companies can escape the challenges of homogenization in the industry.

The photovoltaic sector has been facing a prolonged downturn for nearly two years, with many companies struggling to find their way back to growth. At the same time, technical innovations have stalled, with little potential for revolutionary breakthroughs in silicon materials and wafer technologies. As the industry transitions to N-type technologies, the next steps remain uncertain, particularly regarding the arrival of the tandem solar cell era. In response to these challenges, Tongwei has focused on its core competencies and has consistently offered solutions through its record-setting TNC products. This marks a shift from low-level price competition to high-level value creation, paving the way for high-quality development in the photovoltaic industry.

Tongwei Takes Center Stage with TOPCon 2.0, Solidifying its Mainstream Position

Tongwei’s record-breaking achievements reflect the rapid development of TOPCon technology over the past several years. As a leading player in this mainstream technology pathway, Tongwei has firmly positioned itself at the forefront. During the transition from P-type to N-type photovoltaic technologies, three major routes have emerged: TOPCon, BC, and HJT. Each has its strengths, leading to ongoing debates in the industry about which will dominate. Ultimately, TOPCon has risen to prominence, with its production capacity and market share rapidly increasing since 2023. Leading companies such as Tongwei, JinkoSolar, JA Solar, and Trina Solar have actively expanded their TOPCon production. Even LONGi Green Energy, which has largely focused on BC technology, maintains a substantial 35GW of TOPCon capacity.

Industry statistics predict that by the end of 2024, TOPCon production capacity will exceed 900GW. According to data from Infotech, TOPCon cells will account for 67% of the total shipments among the top five battery manufacturers in 2024, with the market share of N-type TOPCon cells rising to 71.1%, surpassing traditional P-type technology for the first time. This indicates that the TOPCon technology route has firmly established itself as the market’s dominant force. However, leaders in the TOPCon sector are not resting on their laurels; they continue to accelerate technological innovation. Starting in late 2024, various TOPCon leaders began upgrading their technologies from version 1.0 to 2.0, reinforcing TOPCon’s position as the mainstream technology.

In October 2024, JinkoSolar released its next-generation TOPCon Tiger Neo 3.0 solar module, boasting a power output of 670W and a conversion efficiency of 24.8%. In December, Trina Solar introduced its new i-TOPCon Ultra technology-based components, with mid-sized models also achieving 670W and 24.8% efficiency. In January 2025, JA Solar launched the DeepBlue 5.0 module, similarly reaching 670W with a conversion efficiency of 24.8%. With all three leading manufacturers elevating their power and efficiency levels, Tongwei also sought to keep pace by announcing a comprehensive upgrade to TNC 2.0 technology at the beginning of this year.

Tongwei’s TNC 2.0 technology incorporates several advanced techniques, including the proprietary 908 technology, TPE edge passivation technology, steel screen printing technology, and Poly Tech upgrades, leading to significant performance breakthroughs. The enhancements focus on increasing bifacial rates, optimizing temperature coefficients, and improving power competitiveness, thus elevating the overall lifecycle energy generation and investment return for modules. On March 20, the TNC-G12R module achieved a front power output of 682.8W and a conversion efficiency of 25.28%, positioning it at the forefront of the industry and taking TOPCon technology to new heights. Industry experts believe that with Tongwei completing the upgrade to TOPCon 2.0, the competition in photovoltaic technology has entered a new phase.

In 2024, the BC technology route, which has already upgraded to version 2.0, will pose a formidable challenge to TOPCon. However, with TOPCon also now at version 2.0, competing technologies like BC and HJT are unlikely to threaten TOPCon’s mainstream status in the near term. By returning to the fundamentals of technology and reconstructing user value through innovation, Tongwei and other leaders in the TOPCon sector have avoided falling into the trap of price competition, focusing instead on creating higher value for customers from the ground up.

Tongwei’s Chief Technology Officer, Xing Guoqiang, made a compelling argument, stating that the value of a module should be evaluated in conjunction with its actual energy output. The industry should shift its focus towards the “full-cycle value” of products. This means that regardless of the technical route or module type, the real measure of market viability lies in the lifecycle energy production and the value it brings to users. The greater the value, the stronger the willingness of customers to invest. Tongwei’s TNC innovation serves as a successful case of this approach.

Since 2020, Tongwei has strategically pursued TOPCon technology without making a fuss about it or blindly following trends in the market. Instead, it has focused on independent innovation, investing significant resources in research and development to create battery technologies that deliver more value. In 2021, Tongwei established the industry’s first pilot line for 210 PECVD Poly batteries and pioneered large-size PECVD technology, filling a significant gap in the market. This technology stands out in the industry for its superior bifacial rates, excellent low-light response, and well-developed supply chain, providing a better solution for customer value, product value, and production feasibility.

Tongwei’s TNC technology was also recognized in the 2023 Photovoltaic Industry Innovation Achievements Directory published by the China Photovoltaic Industry Association, marking it as the only TOPCon battery technology included. Through TNC technology, Tongwei has successfully industrialized the PECVD route within TOPCon, making significant contributions to industry development. According to the latest statistics from InfoLink, PECVD solutions account for 56% of the market share in TOPCon solar cell production capacity.

Following the success of TNC 1.0, Tongwei did not slow its pace of technical innovation, continuing to upgrade TNC technology. By early 2025, Tongwei unveiled the TNC 2.0 product. This technological advancement has led to a direct increase in power and customer value. Without changing the module size, TNC 2.0 can increase power by over 20W, reduce transportation costs by approximately 3.2%, and lower bracket costs by 0.4–1.1 cents/W, resulting in a total system cost reduction of 1.0–2.9 cents/W. Every cent saved translates to lower investment and higher returns for customers.

Tongwei firmly believes that the well-being of its customers is paramount for the industry and itself. During this challenging period, only those companies that provide substantial value and empower their customers will be widely recognized and remain resilient. With a spirit of long-termism, Tongwei is committed to innovation, progressively increasing R&D investments, and overcoming the barriers in high-purity silicon technology. The company has repeatedly broken world records for high-efficiency batteries and modules. As of March 31, 2025, Tongwei’s photovoltaic sector has accumulated 2761 authorized patents, placing it among the industry leaders.