Innovative Solutions to Break Free from Industry Homogenization: Tongwei TNC’s Record-Breaking Advances in Solar Technology

Innovation as a Solution to Industry Challenges: Tongwei’s TNC Sets New World Records!

Innovation in photovoltaic technology knows no bounds. Recently, Tongwei Co., Ltd., a leader in the solar sector, has once again set new records for the efficiency and power output of its TOPCon photovoltaic modules. The TNC-G12R module has achieved a front power output of 682.8W, surpassing the mainstream production power of similar models in the market by approximately 60W, with a conversion efficiency of 25.28%. Meanwhile, the TNC-G12 module reached 778.5W, also exceeding the mainstream production power by about 60W and achieving a conversion efficiency of 25.06%.

This latest achievement comes just three months after Tongwei last broke these records. On December 25 of the previous year, Tongwei’s photovoltaic technology center announced that the TNC G12-66 module achieved a front power of 763.4W, with a conversion efficiency reaching 24.58% at a standard size of 2384*1303mm. Simultaneously, the TNC G12R-66 module achieved a front power of 663.5W and a conversion efficiency of 24.56% at a size of 2382*1134mm, setting new records for both power and efficiency in the TOPCon technology line.

Tongwei’s remarkable technological innovation has set a benchmark for other photovoltaic companies, showing how to escape the trap of homogenization within the industry. Currently, the photovoltaic sector has faced a downturn for nearly two years, leaving companies struggling as they await a resurgence. At the same time, technological innovation has hit a plateau, with silicon material and wafer technologies proving difficult to disrupt. The direction of battery technology, entering the N-type era, remains uncertain, and the arrival of the tandem battery era is still shrouded in mystery.

In response to these industry challenges, Tongwei has focused on its core strengths, leveraging its record-setting TNC products to provide answers: transitioning from low-level price competition to high-level value creation, paving the way for high-quality growth in the photovoltaic sector.

Tongwei Takes Center Stage with TOPCon 2.0

Tongwei’s repeated record-breaking performances reflect the rapid advancement of TOPCon technology over the past few years. As the industry transitions from P-type to N-type technology, three technical routes have emerged: TOPCon, BC, and HJT. Each has its advantages, leading to ongoing debates about which will dominate the market. However, TOPCon has emerged as the frontrunner.

Since 2023, TOPCon’s production capacity and market share have surged. Major photovoltaic players, including Tongwei, JinkoSolar, JA Solar, and Trina Solar, have aggressively expanded their TOPCon production. Even LONGi Green Energy, which has publicly committed to BC technology, maintains a TOPCon capacity of 35GW. According to industry statistics, by the end of 2024, TOPCon’s production capacity is expected to exceed 900GW.

Data released by InfoLink indicates that in 2024, among the top five battery shipments, TOPCon cells accounted for 67% of total shipments, totaling 109.3 GW. Additionally, the China Photovoltaic Industry Association (CPIA) reports that the market share of N-type TOPCon cells has surged to 71.1%, surpassing traditional P-type technology for the first time.

There is no doubt that TOPCon technology has become the absolute mainstream in the market. However, the leading players in TOPCon have not rested on their laurels and continue to drive technological innovation. Starting at the end of 2024, various TOPCon leaders will upgrade their technologies from 1.0 to 2.0, solidifying TOPCon’s mainstream position even further.

In October 2024, JinkoSolar unveiled its next-generation TOPCon Tiger Neo 3.0 photovoltaic module with a power output of 670W and a conversion efficiency of 24.8%. In December, Trina Solar launched a range of N-type modules based on its next-generation i-TOPCon Ultra technology, with mid-sized products also reaching 670W and an efficiency of 24.8%. In January 2025, JA Solar released its DeepBlue 5.0 module, achieving similar specifications. All three major TOPCon leaders have elevated their products’ power and efficiency, and Tongwei is no exception. Earlier this year, Tongwei announced a comprehensive upgrade to its TNC technology, introducing TNC 2.0. This upgrade, incorporating four major technological advancements—908 technology, TPE edge passivation, screen printing technology, and Poly Tech—has led to significant improvements in module power and conversion efficiency.

On March 20, the TNC-G12R module achieved a front power output of 682.8W and a conversion efficiency of 25.28%, firmly establishing itself as a leader in the industry and elevating the TOPCon technology to new heights. Industry experts believe that with Tongwei’s completion of the TOPCon 2.0 upgrade, competition in photovoltaic technology has entered a new phase. By 2024, the BC technology route, which has already upgraded to version 2.0, will present a formidable challenge to TOPCon. However, with TOPCon also upgraded to version 2.0, rival technologies such as BC and HJT will struggle to challenge its dominance in the short term.

Returning to Technical Fundamentals to Reconstruct User Value

The rise of TOPCon to mainstream status is rooted in the fact that Tongwei and other leading companies have avoided getting trapped in price competition. Instead, they have focused on creating greater value through continuous technological innovation based on fundamental principles. In the past, the photovoltaic industry has engaged in extensive debates over the advantages and disadvantages of different technological routes, but Tongwei’s Chief Technology Officer, Xing Guoqiang, has made a compelling argument: the value of a module should be assessed in conjunction with its actual power generation, suggesting that the industry should shift its focus to “full-cycle value.”

This means that the viability of a technology or module in the market depends not on flashy data or metrics, but rather on the value it can deliver across its entire lifecycle. The greater the value, the stronger the willingness of users to invest. Tongwei’s TNC innovation exemplifies this successful approach.

As early as 2020, Tongwei began investing in TOPCon technology without making a lot of noise or blindly following technical trends. Instead, it committed to independent innovation, investing significant resources to develop battery technologies that create real value. In 2021, Tongwei established the industry’s first 210 PECVD Poly battery pilot line and took the lead in implementing large-size PECVD technology, filling a gap in the industry. This technology quickly gained traction due to its higher bifacial efficiency, superior low-light response, and mature supply chain, becoming a more optimal solution that integrates customer value, product value, and mass production feasibility.

Tongwei’s TNC technology has also been recognized as one of the few selected for the 2023 Photovoltaic Industry Innovation Achievement Promotion Directory by the China Photovoltaic Industry Association. Furthermore, Tongwei has successfully industrialized PECVD technology within the TOPCon framework, contributing significantly to the industry’s development. According to the latest statistics from InfoLink, PECVD solutions now account for 56% of TOPCon solar cell production capacity.

After the success of the TNC1.0 version, Tongwei continued to innovate, launching the TNC2.0 product in early 2025. This technological upgrade has directly enhanced power output and customer value. Without changing the module size, TNC2.0 offers a power increase of over 20W, reduces transportation costs by approximately 3.2%, and lowers bracket costs by 0.4-1.1 cents/W, decreasing the total system cost by 1.0-2.9 cents/W. Each cent saved translates to lower investments and higher returns for customers. Tongwei firmly believes that a thriving customer base leads to a thriving industry, and only companies that genuinely enhance customer value will be recognized and endure during tough times in the industry.

Embracing Long-Termism in the Path of Technological Innovation

It is noteworthy that TOPCon 2.0 has already gained significant market acceptance. For instance, TNC2.0 has secured multiple orders shortly after its launch. On March 26, during the BE POSITIVE exhibition in Lyon, France, Tongwei and BayWa r.e. Solar Systems SAS entered into a strategic cooperation framework agreement focused on TNC 2.0 modules, further advancing their collaboration in the French distribution market. On April 14, Tongwei signed a supply agreement for 130MW of high-efficiency photovoltaic modules with PVO International BV, deepening its strategic layout of TNC 2.0 series modules in Northwest Europe.

As demand for high-quality photovoltaic products continues to grow, orders for TNC2.0 are expected to flow in steadily by 2025. Among similar products, TNC2.0 has opened up new avenues for quality and efficiency enhancement, solidifying a robust foundation for TOPCon’s mainstream position over the next 3 to 5 years. Currently, leading companies like Tongwei are accelerating their upgrades to TOPCon technology, with versions 3.0 and 4.0 expected to follow after TOPCon 2.0. Given the innovation pace of companies like Tongwei, the arrival of the 3.0 era is not far off.

Moreover, with changes in electricity market policies, new energy power will fully participate in market trading starting June 1 of this year. Investors in power stations are increasingly favoring “low investment, high return” products. In this new landscape, Tongwei’s TNC products, representing a new generation of TOPCon modules, will have a competitive edge, while those that rely heavily on price competition may gradually be phased out of the market.

Xing Guoqiang emphasized, “This industry cycle is driven by technological advancements. When photovoltaic companies push themselves into ‘self-inflicted wounds’ through price competition, the value of technological innovation becomes even more significant. We understand that the path of innovation is endless, and those companies that can navigate through cycles and welcome brighter days will undoubtedly be those that prioritize technological innovation as their core competitive advantage.”

Amidst the dual transformations of the energy and technology revolutions, Tongwei consistently adheres to a long-term perspective, continuously increasing its investment in research and development. With determination and resilience, it has overcome barriers in high-purity silicon purification technology and has broken world records for high-efficiency batteries and modules numerous times. As of March 31, 2025, Tongwei’s photovoltaic division has accumulated 2761 authorized patents, ranking among the industry leaders.