Discover the Hidden Vulnerabilities of TOPCon Solar Cells and How Qn-SOLAR Delivers Unmatched Durability

The solar industry is continually evolving, presenting new opportunities alongside significant challenges. As the demand for efficient and reliable solar technology grows, it is crucial to address the vulnerabilities that can affect performance. A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) has uncovered a critical issue regarding TOPCon solar cells: their susceptibility to corrosion under specific environmental conditions. At Qn-SOLAR, our R&D team has long been aware of these corrosion challenges and has implemented various targeted optimizations to ensure our solar solutions exceed industry standards for durability and reliability.

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The Corrosion Threat: Research Reveals TOPCon Cell Vulnerabilities

The UNSW study subjected TOPCon solar cells to accelerated damp-heat testing at 85°C and 85% relative humidity. The results revealed significant degradation due to corrosion, particularly at the metal contacts. Sodium-based salts, such as NaCl (salt) and NaHCO?, severely impacted cell performance, with some cells experiencing efficiency losses of up to 92% due to increased series resistance (Rs). This research highlights the importance of long-term stability in TOPCon cells and underscores the challenge of metal contact corrosion in harsh environments. For solar manufacturers and project developers, these findings emphasize the critical need to address these vulnerabilities to ensure reliable, long-lasting performance.

Image: UNSW, Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, Common License CC BY 4.0

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Image: UNSW, Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, Common License CC BY 4.0

Qn-SOLAR’s Proactive Approach: Durability through Established Innovation

At Qn-SOLAR, we have developed our TOPCon products with a strong focus on durability and performance, ensuring they withstand the toughest environmental conditions. Our existing technologies align perfectly with the insights from the recent study, underscoring the reliability of our products:

• ?Enhanced Encapsulant Performance: Our advanced dual POE encapsulants were designed prior to this research to combat delamination and PID failures in high humidity and salt fog environments. These encapsulants not only address potential PID issues but also provide high moisture resistance, effectively mitigating the degradation mechanisms highlighted in the study.
• Improved Frame Durability: The study indicates the susceptibility of metal contacts to corrosion. Our TOPCon modules feature composite material frames that offer exceptional corrosion resistance. Testing has confirmed that these frames retain over 70% strength even after aging, ensuring long-term structural integrity and minimizing the risk of contact failure, as emphasized by the research.
• Superior Glass Performance: Our use of dual-layer HTAR coatings was established to enhance light transmission while fortifying the glass against moisture intrusion. This proactive measure ensures our modules maintain high efficiency and reliability, directly addressing concerns raised in the recent research.

Why This Matters for You

For project developers and investors, the reliability of PV modules translates directly into long-term returns. The corrosion vulnerabilities identified in the research not only reduce the power output of solar cells but also increase maintenance costs and shorten system lifespans. With Qn-SOLAR’s innovative anti-corrosion technology, you can trust that our TOPCon modules will perform at their peak for decades, even in the most challenging environments.

Whether you're building in humid coastal areas, high salinity regions, or any other harsh conditions, Qn-SOLAR’s TOPCon modules provide the stability and performance you need. Contact us to learn more about Qn-SOLAR and how you can be a part of the solar energy revolution. ??[email protected]

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