SAS reportedly to invest in TOPCon solar cell production

Sino-American Silicon Products (SAS) will reportedly invest in producing TOPCon (tunnel oxide passivated contact) silicon solar cells, according to industry sources.

The Taiwan-based firm was a leader in mass producing PERC solar cells and its move for TOPCon carries much significance for the PV industry’s development, the sources said. SAS declined to comment on its technological development.

Despite its technologicial leadership, SAS has no intentions to incease production capacity for PERC segment, unlike competitors in China who are keen to do so, the sources said.

Taiwan-based Motech Industries is also preparing for trial production of TOPCon solar cells through cooperation with government-sponsored Industrial Technology Research Institute.

LG Electronics and China-based makers Jolywood (Suzhou) Sunwatt, Yingli Green Energy, Trina Solar and Jiangsu Linyang Energy have also been engaged in R&D or trial production of TOPCon solar cells.

In contrast, Taiwan-based solar cell maker United Renewable Energy (URE) is posed for production of N-type HIT solar cells. Japan-based Panasonic and Kaneke lead globally in HIT technology currently, while China-based Sunpreme, Jinneng Clean Energy Technology, GS-Solar, China Intellectric Power Technology, Tongwei Solar, Guangdong Aiko Solar Energy Technology and Caihong Group New Energy have stepped into development or production of HIT solar cells.