Currently, solar cell technology is continuously developing with newer generations offering higher efficiency and greater electricity output. Monocrystalline solar cells are considered the most efficient for commercially used solar cells. In 2023, Monocrystalline PERC P-Type solar cells still held the largest market share at approximately 63%, followed by Monocrystalline N-Type TOPCon (Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact) at around 29%. Additioally, emerging technologies such as, Monocrystalline N-Type Heterojunction (HTJ) and Monocrystalline Back Contact (BC) both N-Type and P-Type began to enter the market, and with projection to take higher market share of more than 50% after 2024 (Figure 2.1).

        In 2023, there were two predominant solar cell sizes: 182 mm (M10) and 210 mm (G12), accounted for approximately 78% and 20% of production respectively. Manufacturers are moving toward standardizing wafer production to rectangular dimensions ranging from 182 x 188 mm to 182 x 210 mm, allowing higher electrical power output (Figure 2.2).

        To further enhance performance, solar panel manufacturers tended to adopt advanced techniques, such as laser half-cutting, and assembled them parallely. The reduced cell size resulted in lesser electrical losses due to lower resistance. Moreover, smaller busbars also resulted in better light absorption, thereby improving overall panel efficiency (Figure 2.3).

        Another innovative technique gaining popularity is the use of a technique called “Shingled cells.” This process involved cutting normal-sized solar cells into 5-6 strips and connecting these strips using Electrically Conductive Adhesive (ECA). The strips were arranged with a slight overlap, similar to roof shingles, hence the name Shingled (Figure 2.4). The overlapping arrangement concealed the busbars that connect the strips together. This configuration increased active surface area by reducing busbars shading, thus improving overall solar panel efficiency.

        Currently, solar cell market had shifted from P-type to N-type technologies due to higher efficiency and lower degradation rate. In recent developments, desiging N-type cell using TOPCon (Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact) minimizes electron recombination loss at eletrical contacts (Figure 2.5).

        Moreover, N-type solar cell development also had led to emergence of other configurations, such as Heterojunction (HJT) and Interdigitated Back Contact (IBC). HJT solar cells reduced electron loss through recombination by adding ultra-thin layers of amorphous silicon on both sides of the semiconductor junction, as shown in Figure 2.6. Additionally, HJT solar cells performed well under at high temperatures, making them suitable for use in tropical areas with high solar intensity.

        IBC solar cells enhanced efficiency by reducing front-side busbar shading that was typically found on traditional solar cells. IBC solar cells featured more than 30 ultra-thin busbar strips on the rear side, as shown in Figure 2.7, resulting in improved light absorption efficiency. However, HTJ and IBC required more extensive manufacturing processes and high investment compared to TOPCon technology. Despite this, these advanced N-type solar cell technologies - TOPCon, HJT, and IBC, had demonstrated superior efficiency and performance relative to traditional P-Type solar cells. Figure 2.8 illustrated structural and performance differences among these N-type technologies.