On October 31st, Chinese solar manufacturer Aiko Solar announced a collaboration with the Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics (ACAP) to introduce a $4 million initiative focused on reaching 30% efficiency using interdigitated back contact (IBC) solar cells.
The companies stated that their collaboration, centered on improving silicon solar cell efficiency through advanced photon multiplication (PM) technology, is geared towards propelling the “next wave of innovation in PV technology”.
IBC solar cell technology presents a range of appealing characteristics, such as increased efficiency, energy output, and reliability. These attributes prompted Professor Martin Green, a Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering laureate and founder of the ACAP research center, to express to PV Tech in December 2023 his anticipation that IBC technology will emerge as the ultimate victor in the field.
Professor Green conveyed to PV Tech, “I am confident that IBC technology will ultimately prevail. However, whether all companies will transition to it within five years or if the adoption process will extend further, I am uncertain. Nonetheless, I anticipate that eventually, all manufacturers will be producing IBC cells.”
Reaching a 30% efficiency milestone would mark a significant advancement in solar cell technology, considering that current crystalline silicon cells typically operate at approximately 29% efficiency.
According to Aiko Solar, the project’s design enables seamless integration into current solar manufacturing procedures, presenting a “transformative” advancement with “immediate industry influence.”
In reference to the collaboration, Professor Green highlighted that the research expertise of the University of South Wales combined with Aiko Solar’s leadership in the solar PV sector will assist in propelling the collaboration to “challenge the limits of photovoltaic efficiency and influence the trajectory of solar energy in the future.”
Maxeon claims patent infringement against Aiko Solar’s IBC technology
In 2024, Aiko Solar’s IBC solar cell technology has faced scrutiny, as Maxeon initiated an appeal and filed a patent infringement lawsuit against the Chinese company, a manufacturer of cells and modules.
Maxeon has also initiated a series of legal actions concerning tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) cell technology in the United States, as it endeavors to establish a TOPCon manufacturing plant in the country.
Regarding IBC technology, Maxeon CEO Bill Mulligan informed PV Tech Premium in June 2024 that the company has a firm belief that Aiko Solar is infringing on their technology.
Mulligan stated, “We initiated legal proceedings against Aiko in the Netherlands a few months back. While we did not succeed in obtaining a preliminary injunction, the criteria for such injunctions are stringent. We have not lost the case; we simply did not secure the injunction.”
“They employed some astute legal tactics to raise questions about certain analytical assessments we conducted. We have since repeated those assessments, confirming our initial findings. We are challenging the ruling through an appeal process.”
Aiko Solar’s entry into the Australian solar PV market
In March of this year, Aiko Solar made its debut in the Australian solar PV market, securing supply agreements for 2GW of its GEN 2 n-type all back contact (ABC) modules.
During the Australian Smart Energy 2024 conference, Aiko Solar finalized agreements with solar distributors Solar Juice, AC Solar Warehouse, Sol Distribution, and Tradezone, collectively amounting to 2GW. However, specific details regarding the sizes of each individual deal were not disclosed by the company.
Aiko Solar’s ABC modules, boasting a 25.15% conversion efficiency, have received certification from the esteemed German technology testing organization TÜV-SÜD. These modules are designed for use in residential, commercial, and industrial (C&I) markets, as well as for utility-scale installations.
