For a decade, P-type PERC cells were the default of the solar industry: efficient enough, cheap enough, everywhere. That era is ending. Across new production lines worldwide, N-type TOPCon has become the technology of choice, and the reasons are measurable rather than fashionable.
What TOPCon actually is
TOPCon (Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact) adds an ultra-thin oxide layer and a doped polysilicon film to the rear of an N-type silicon cell. The result is a passivated contact that lets current out while keeping the energy carriers from recombining. Less recombination means more of the sunlight becomes electricity.
The advantages that matter in the field
- Higher efficiency. Mass-production TOPCon cells run well above 24%, against a practical ceiling around 23% for PERC. More watts from the same roof area.
- Lower degradation. N-type cells are immune to the light-induced degradation (LID) that quietly shaved output from first-generation P-type modules.
- Superior bifaciality. TOPCon bifacial factors of around 80% mean reflective ground such as sand, gravel or light membranes adds real, bankable rear-side yield.
- Better temperature behaviour. A gentler temperature coefficient keeps output higher on the hot days when pumping demand peaks.
Why Solanzo chose it for Avanza
Our Avanza Series modules are built on N-type TOPCon bifacial cells for exactly the reasons above. In solar pumping, every extra watt-hour becomes extra water. When the application is measured in cubic metres delivered, efficiency is not a spec-sheet trophy; it is the product itself.
Where P-type still fits
P-type panels remain solid, proven products, and our Luminous and Alba lines still earn their place. But where maximum yield per square metre and the lowest lifetime degradation decide the outcome, the industry's move to N-type TOPCon is engineering following the numbers.