Shaping the Future of Solar: The 12th bifiPV Workshop 2024 Successfully Held in Zhuhai

November 22th, 2024

[Zhuhai, 22.11.2024] – From November 20 to 22, the 12th bifiPV Workshop 2024 International Summit was successfully held at the Sheraton Zhuhai Huafa Hotel in Guangdong, China. Co-hosted by AIKO and the International Solar Energy Research Center (ISC Konstanz), the summit brought together over 400 global experts, leading enterprises, and renowned organizations in the photovoltaic (PV) industry.

As a premier academic event in the PV sector, the bifiPV Workshop has been instrumental in advancing solar technology since its inception. Originating in Konstanz, Germany, the workshop has traveled to Chambéry, France; Miyazaki, Japan; Denver, USA; Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Ankara, Turkey; and Doha, Qatar. In 2024, the workshop made its way to Zhuhai, Guangdong, home to AIKO’s first ABC factory, further solidifying China’s leadership in the global PV industry.

High-Level Discussions on BC Technology

A key highlight of this year’s summit was its focus on bifacial back contact (BC) technology, widely regarded as the ultimate technology in the single-crystal silicon era due to its proximity to the theoretical conversion efficiency limit. AIKO pioneered the development of N-Type  ABC technology in 2021 and was the first in the industry to achieve gigawatt-level mass production of N-Type BC cells. With benefits including grid-free front surfaces, high conversion efficiency, exceptional reliability, aesthetic appeal, and broad adaptability, BC technology has rapidly gained attention.

Dr. Radovan Kopecek from the International Solar Energy Research Center (ISC Konstanz) reflected on the 19-year journey of the bifiPV Workshop and shared an optimistic outlook for BC technology. He remarked:”At this summit, we will discuss a range of pressing topics, including BC manufacturing processes, opportunities and challenges in the PV industry, the timing of tandem technology breakthroughs, as well as economic and reliability considerations. We believe that as BC technology integrates with energy storage in the future, high-efficiency bifacial BC solutions will demonstrate unparalleled competitiveness. To transition from rooftops to utility scale, back-contact technology must evolve to bifacial, harnessing ground reflection for greater efficiency. The ultimate step for BC technology is bifacial integration.”

Gang Chen, Chairman of AIKO underlined that BC technology is indispensable for achieving the ultimate efficiency of crystalline silicon cells and paving the way for the next generation of solar technologies. BC technology utilizes ultra-low doping silicon wafers and features 100% light absorption, bipolar passivation, and lossless metal coating, enabling maximum fill factor and exceptional stability against micro-cracks and shading. For the next generation, technologies like photon doubling and perovskite tandem cells will rely on BC structures for optimal efficiency.

Chen remarked:”Over the past 200-300 years, humanity has consumed much of the solar energy stored over billions of years on Earth in the form of coal, oil, and other fossil fuels. To ensure the sustainable development of human society, we must continuously improve our ability to harness solar energy, store more of it, and transition to a negative-carbon society. BC technology, currently the closest to the theoretical efficiency limit of crystalline silicon cells (29.56%), features a unique grid-free front structure, making it a necessary path for exploring next-generation solar cell technologies.”

A roundtable discussion, moderated by Min Ge, Co-Founder of TaiyangNews, brought together industry leaders to explore the transformative potential of BC technology. Panelists included: Dr. Yongqian Wang, Chief Scientist of AIKO, Dr. Xixiang Xu, Chief Scientist of LONGi and Vice President of Central R&D Institute, Dr. Radovan Kopecek, Co-Founder of ISC Konstanz, and Guangqi Xu, Principal engineer of Maxeon. The discussion focused on how BC technology is poised to shape the future of the PV industry, particularly in addressing challenges, seizing opportunities, and driving the industry’s next phase of growth.

Building the BC Ecosystem Through Industry Collaboration

Unlike traditional academic conferences, this summit brought together stakeholders from across the BC value chain, including silicon material and wafer technology, BC cell research and production, BC module auxiliary material and manufacturing, testing, system and so on. The rapid development of BC technology requires seamless collaboration across the supply chain, from raw materials to end applications, to establish a robust and sustainable industry ecosystem.

The event featured 30 keynote presentations from representatives of leading companies and institutions such as LONGi, TCL Zhonghuan, GCL Technology, TU Delft, Meyer Burger, TüV Rheinland, Dr Laser, and Lead Intelligent Equipment. These sessions provided a comprehensive analysis of BC technology across design, production, testing, and application.

BC technology’s market acceptance and potential have surged in 2023, with growing adoption in utility-scale solar projects. In the second half of the year, companies such as Huaneng Group, China Huadian, Guangzhou Development, and State Power Investment Corporation issued BC-specific procurement bids, signaling a new chapter for BC in centralized PV purchasing.

Showcasing Innovation: AIKO’s Zhuhai Factory Tour

The workshop concluded with a tour of AIKO’s Zhuhai factory, where attendees witnessed the automated, intelligent, and eco-friendly production process for N-Type  ABC cells and modules. As the industry leader in N-Type  BC technology, AIKO achieved gigawatt-scale production earlier than any competitor, with an average cell efficiency of 27.2% and module efficiency of 24.2%. AIKO has topped the TaiyangNews Global Commercial Module Efficiency Ranking for 20 consecutive months, and in September 2023 began delivering modules with an industry-leading efficiency of 24.6%.

A Milestone for BC Technology Collaboration

The successful 12th bifiPV Workshop marks a significant milestone in fostering industry collaboration and knowledge exchange for BC technology. As a co-host, AIKO reaffirmed its commitment to driving innovation, strengthening cross-sector partnerships, and building a vibrant BC ecosystem. Together with global PV stakeholders, AIKO aims to accelerate BC technology adoption, unlock its full potential, and contribute to a zero-carbon future.