New Consensus on BC and TOPCon: Advancing Quality Development in the Photovoltaic Industry through Comprehensive Power Efficiency Metrics

New Consensus on BC and TOPCon: Promoting High-Quality Development in the Photovoltaic Industry Through Comprehensive Power Generation Efficiency Indicators

In the competitive landscape of photovoltaic technology, TOPCon stands out due to its higher overall power generation efficiency, while BC is noted for its superior front-side generation efficiency. This has sparked considerable debate within the industry regarding which technology is superior. Recently, Longi, a leader in BC technology, announced at its spring product launch that its bifacial module efficiency has reached approximately 75%, with the potential to increase to 80% based on customer requirements. This not only reflects the industry’s recognition of high bifacial efficiency but also indicates a shift towards enhancing the back-side power generation capabilities of BC technology. Thus, the industry consensus on the criteria for assessing the advancement of photovoltaic modules has become clear: the standard is no longer solely based on front-side power but rather on comprehensive power output.

Bifacial Power Generation Enhances Customer Value

As the application scenarios for bifacial modules expand rapidly, more photovoltaic companies are prioritizing improvements in back-side power generation capabilities. Previously, BC companies focused solely on front-side efficiency, but they are now increasingly acknowledging the value of bifacial power generation. Early BC technology was limited by the characteristics of battery structures and immature manufacturing processes, resulting in a bifacial efficiency below 50%. At the recent product launch, Longi showcased its advancements, revealing that the new generation of BC modules has achieved a bifacial efficiency of around 75% and can be customized to reach up to 80% based on client needs. This demonstrates that both the industry and end customers fully recognize the enhanced power generation value of bifacial modules. Consequently, bifacial components have gained extensive market acceptance, with their market share continuously increasing. According to the China Photovoltaic Industry Roadmap, the market share of bifacial modules in China is expected to reach 77.6% by 2024, establishing them as the dominant market force.

In actual bidding processes, “bifacial efficiency” has become a crucial metric for component tenders from major state energy enterprises and project investors. According to authoritative third-party data from InfoLink, the global share of bifacial scenarios is projected to reach 86% to 88% between 2025 and 2028, approaching 90%. The bifacial efficiency of TOPCon modules is undoubtedly impressive, with TOPCon 2.0 modules achieving a bifacial efficiency of 85±5%, and potentially reaching 90%. In practical applications, a higher bifacial efficiency translates to greater overall power output and enhanced generation capacity.

Comprehensive Power Metrics Drive High-Quality Development in Photovoltaics

From a generation perspective, the actual comprehensive power output of bifacial modules exceeds their nominal front-side power output. The comprehensive generation efficiency, which combines front-side efficiency with equivalent back-side efficiency, is central to TOPCon’s competitive advantage. During the launch, Longi emphasized the importance of comprehensive power as a key measurement standard. It is well-known that in different scenarios, varying reflectivity can lead to different power generation gains from modules. In bifacial applications, higher ground reflectivity results in increased power generation gains. For instance, simulations indicate that in grass, sand, and snow environments, power generation can increase by 5.1%, 8.3%, and 15.8% respectively. Additionally, TOPCon products excel in low irradiance performance. The better the low irradiance performance, the greater the power generation capability per watt, leading to increased generation gains. Data shows that 90% of global regions experience low irradiance conditions, making TOPCon particularly effective in these environments. This is especially important in distributed scenarios, where price variations further enhance the value of low irradiance.

In summary, the combination of high bifacial efficiency and excellent low irradiance performance gives TOPCon a competitive edge in over 90% of global scenarios, establishing its reputation as a trusted choice among customers. As competition intensifies in the photovoltaic industry, discussions around technology pathways continue. Only by firmly adhering to market-oriented principles and focusing on customer value—centered around cost per kilowatt-hour and comprehensive power generation efficiency—can we truly propel the high-quality development of the photovoltaic sector.