As the global solar PV sector moves through 2026 under mounting cost pressure and shifting policy landscapes, Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact, widely known as TOPCon, has solidified its position as the dominant cell architecture in modern module manufacturing.
This transition reflects rapid advances in efficiency, manufacturability and real world energy yield. However, as deployment accelerates at scale, industry stakeholders are increasingly focused on balancing performance gains with long term reliability, while also preparing for the next wave of photovoltaic innovation.
These themes were explored in a recent dialogue hosted by JA Solar as part of its Power Talk webinar series. The session brought together Dr Zi Ouyang, Chief Technology Officer at JA Solar, and Professor Bram Hoex of University of New South Wales, a leading research institution in solar technology.
The discussion examined how TOPCon rapidly evolved into the industry standard, underpinned by its ability to deliver higher efficiency without compromising large scale manufacturability. The speakers noted that TOPCon based modules are now widely deployed across diverse operating environments, demonstrating strong energy yield performance.
Despite these advantages, the technology faces a new set of operational and economic challenges. Rising raw material costs, particularly in metallisation, are placing pressure on margins, while reliability concerns linked to degradation mechanisms remain under scrutiny. The need for more robust and standardised testing frameworks is also becoming critical as TOPCon penetrates utility scale markets.
Dr Ouyang stated that TOPCon has moved beyond its status as an emerging technology and now forms the backbone of the global PV industry. He added that future competition will depend on the ability of manufacturers to translate laboratory efficiency gains into consistent and bankable field performance.
Professor Hoex emphasised that while TOPCon offers a strong balance between performance and scalability, long term reliability will become a key differentiator. He highlighted the importance of deeper collaboration between manufacturers and research institutions to address durability, testing standards and sustainability challenges.
Looking ahead, the dialogue pointed to several pathways beyond TOPCon. These include tandem cell architectures that promise further efficiency gains, as well as increased focus on recyclability and circular design principles. System level optimisation and expansion into new application segments are also expected to shape the next phase of solar growth.
JA Solar indicated that its Power Talk series will continue to convene stakeholders from across the value chain, supporting knowledge exchange and more informed decision making as the industry transitions towards high efficiency, resilient and sustainable PV solutions.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
For enquiries on the African continent, email: africa@jasolar.com
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