Bifacial BC technology to become the next big thing after TOPCon

Radovan Kopecek

International Solar Energy Research Center Konstanz e.V., Germany

E-mail: radovan.kopecek@isc-konstanz.de

Abstract

Back Contact (BC) technology is set to revolutionize solar cell efficiency, emerging as the leading advancement following TOPCon. BC cells are expected to reach over 26% cell efficiency and more than 25% module efficiency, with a bifacial factor nearing 0.8, making them the highest-efficiency single-junction crystalline silicon (c-Si) devices. Key innovations, such as the integration of copper (Cu) screen printing and simplified interconnection via negative gap technology, contribute to BC’s potential. These improvements will drive the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) to as low as 1 cent per kWh for utility-scale applications positioning BC technology as the ultimate enabler of the energy transition from 2027 on when entering a yearly TW market. 

This presentation will summarize key findings and insights from the bifiPV2024 workshop in Zhuhai, highlighting how BC technology is poised to deliver the highest efficiencies and cost reductions in c-Si photovoltaics. While tandem technologies show promise, they still require years of development to achieve bankable, gigawatt-scale production, further reinforcing BC as the immediate pathway to the lowest LCOE and highest performance.