PERC, TOPCon, HJT and IBC

Before 2015, BSF (Conventional Aluminum Back field ) cells were the mainstream product, accounting for 90 percent of the market, according to the China Photovoltaic Industry Association. Since 2016, the market share of BSF cells has declined sharply, mainly due to the inherent limitations of BSF cells and large photoelectric losses. BSF was gradually phased out due to the increasing demand for efficient cells from downstream customers. During the same period, the market share of PERC cells showed a trend of substantial increase, rising from 10.0% in 2016 to 91.2% in 2021, and has become the mainstream cell products.

The output of photovoltaic cells in China is growing rapidly, and the technical efficiency of N-type cell has jumped to a new height. The output CAGR（Compound Annual Growth Rate) of photovoltaic cells in the last decade is 33.5%. PERC cell capacity accounted for 91%.It still occupy the mainstream position in the short term. N-type cell has obvious advantages in conversion efficiency and will become the direction of the next generation technology.

The theoretical conversion efficiency of TOPCon cell ranks the first among all kinds of cells, the ultimate efficiency is as high as 28.7%, and the mass production efficiency is 24%-24.5%. It is compatible with PERC production line equipment. Large silicon wafers and silver-aluminium paste drive costs down further. It is expected that the landing capacity of TOPCon will exceed 50GW in 2022.

The disruptive technology of HJT cell emerges, and the path of industrialization cost reduction is clear. Theoretical conversion efficiency is 28.5%, mass production efficiency is 24%-24.5%, and the highest laboratory efficiency is 26.5%. While costs remain high, a variety of cost-cutting approaches are in place. It is estimated that 20-30GW of new capacity will be added in 2022.

IBC cell adopts the platform type long-term cell technology route, but it is still difficult to achieve mass production in China. Streamlining process steps and reducing manufacturing costs are the core of cost reduction. The cost reduction route of XBC cell (XBC?cell?is also called full back electrode contact crystalline silicon solar cell). is correlated with the technology before fusion. Head cell manufacturers began to layout XBC cells. A small amount of production capacity is expected to hit the ground this year.