Solar Panel Forecast to 2024: N-type Cell is the Next Generation of Photovoltaic Cell Technology

The difference between N-type cells and P-type cells lies in the different raw material silicon wafers and cell preparation techniques. P-type silicon wafers are made by doping boron in silicon materials, and N-type silicon wafers are made by doping phosphorus in silicon materials. The raw material of P-type cells is P-type silicon wafers, and the main preparation technologies include traditional Al-BSF (aluminum back field) and PERC technology that has emerged in recent years. The raw material for N-type cells is N-type silicon wafers, and the main preparation technologies for N include PERT/PERL, TOPCon, IBC, heterojunction (HJT), etc.

At present, the mainstream of the photovoltaic industry is the P-type cell (mainly PERC technology) with simple manufacturing process and lower cost. N-type silicon wafers have a higher minority carrier lifetime and higher cell efficiency, but the manufacturing process is complicated and the cost is higher.

N-type cells have obvious advantages and are the next generation of cell technology. Compared with traditional P-type cells, N-type cells have the advantages of high conversion efficiency, high double-sided rate, low temperature coefficient, no light decay, and good weak light effect. It is the next generation of cell technology. According to ITRPV forecast, with the development of N-type cell technology, the market share of N-type silicon wafers (cells) will continue to increase, exceeding 10% in 2019 and exceeding 40% in 2029.

It is expected that the share of N-type silicon wafers (cells) will continue to increase 

Advantages of N-type cells over P-type cells:

(1)    High conversion efficiency. At present, the average mass production efficiency of PERC superimposed SE technology in P-type cells is 22%-22.4%. Among N-type cells, the mass production efficiency of TOPCon is 22.4%-23.1%, and the average mass production efficiency of HJT is 23%-23.6%.

(2)    High double-sided rate. Bifacial power generation is the development direction of photovoltaic cells. The bifacial rate of p-type PERC cells is about 75%, while that of N-TOPCon is over 85%, and that of N-HJT is over 95%.

(3)    Low temperature coefficient. The temperature coefficient of the N-type cell is lower than that of the P-type, and it is suitable for application scenarios with higher temperatures, such as areas with better irradiation conditions such as Africa and the Middle East.