Misbah Solar System

Why N type or P type:

The N type and P type discussion is not a relevant discussion because all (whether P type or N type) have both the layers (a solar panel cannot work if it is only P or only N, having a PN junction is required for electricity to be produced).

So how are the new panels more efficient:

The efficiency of new panels has been because of advancement in cell technology. There are 4 dominant technologies at the moment;

1. PERC (commonly called P type panels) is the most sold at the moment and being replaced. It was introduced in 2017.

2. TOPCON: Commonly called N type technology is the cheapest upgrade to PERC panels and the reason they are widely available.

3. Back Contact platform: e.g. HPBC from LONGi is another high efficiency technology that has the highest efficiency in the market right now (and are expected to remain so for the next few years). Back contact panels are the most expensive to manufacture and cost around 1.5 times the normal panels. LONGi has made this premium technology available at a much lower price. These panels are considered fake proof because of difficult manufacturing process.

4. HJT: is a well known technology and mass manufacturing breakthroughs were recently achieved. All the top companies are doing field testing of these panels to ensure reliability.

5. Tandem Junction panels (future technology): These are the panels that are expected to be common in parallel with back contact panels after 5 years. Research on how to mass manufacture these panels is ongoing.

The advancement in panels is done because of new technologies. P and N are both present in every panel and that is how panels make electricity.