Canadian Solar Inc.’s subsidiary CSI Solar Co., Ltd. will begin mass-producing N-type Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact (TOPCon) solar modules in the first quarter of 2023, the company announced Dec. 15. 

The TOPCon modules have a power output of up to 690 watts and an average cell conversion efficiency of 25%, 1.5% higher than other mainstream products, the company said. 

Compared to PERC modules, the TOPCon modules will increase energy yield of PV systems and balance of system (BOS) cost savings, as well as lower levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) for solar power plants, said Dr. Shawn Qu, chairman and CEO of Canadian Solar.

The company will produce a diversified portfolio of TOPCon products to serve utility, commercial and residential markets. Mass production of its 182mm cell-based bifacial and monofacial TOPCon module will start in the first quarter of 2023, while its 210mm cell-based bifacial modules will begin mass production in the second quarter of 2023, the release stated. 

The new TOPCon modules’ competitive technology allows for: 
•    Better performance in hot environments due to having a temperature coefficient of;
•    Less power degradation due to no Boron-oxygen related light-induced degradation;
•    Significant power gain compared to PERC bifacial modules with bifaciality ability of TOPCon bifacial modules to reach up to 85%; and 
•    Longer 30-year limited performance warranty for TOPCon monofacial modules, compared to 25-year warranty of mainstream monofacial products. 

After 2,000 hours of damp and heat (DH2000) testing, power degradation of Canadian Solar’s TOPCon modules was 1% compared to PERC modules’ 1.9% degradation.

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