Tindo teams up with UNSW to develop TopCon cells, the next frontier in solar PV

Australia’s only solar module manufacturer Tindo Solar says it will partner with researchers from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) to explore the development of TOPCon solar cells, seen as key to improving efficiency.

The Adelaide headquartered Tindo announced on Wednesday that it would work alongside UNSW on two projects exploring TOPCon solar cell technology.

TOPCon, which stands for tunnel oxide passivated contact, was developed in the early 1980s by Professor Martin Green at UNSW and, in laboratory testing, can achieve power conversion efficiency of around 27 per cent, compared to the limit of 25 per cent for current PERC (passivated emitter and rear cell) solar cells.

However, despite the technology dating back to Australia in the 1980s, TOPCon’s commercial development only began in the early 2010s thanks to work done by German scientific institute Fraunhofer ISE and, more recently, the Chinese solar industry.

Backed by funding from the Trailblazer for Recycling and Clean Energy (TRaCE) program, the newly announced research agreement will pair Tindo’s expertise in manufacturing processes and material supply chains with UNSW’s world-class research capabilities to take TipCon cellsoutside of the laboratory.

The research will look specifically at how they will function under the heat, humidity, UV exposure, and weather extremes of Australia.

Ensuring that TopCon solar cells are capable of withstanding real-world stresses without a loss to performance is a crucial step in reducing the levelised cost of energy (LCoE).

“TopCon presents an exciting leap in efficiency,” Bram Hoex, one of Australia’s leading solar experts who is heading the UNSW research team.

“The TopCon solar cell manufacturing process is evolving rapidly, with frequent adjustments that can either positively or negatively impact cell sensitivity to module components and environmental stresses.

Identifying these vulnerabilities and understanding their fundamental mechanisms is essential for designing modules well-suited to Australia’s climate, while also unlocking opportunities for broader global applications.”

Tindo CEO Richard Petterson said that his company was happy to be engaged in the UNSW’s development of a high-performing and highly durable Australian TopCon solar cell.

“The PERC solar cell is an excellent technology for converting sunlight into electricity, but the TopCon cell offers greater efficiencies and output which we should be aiming for in our energy system.”

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