Australia’s clean energy future relies not only on expanding solar deployment, but on making sure the technology is built to last. With some of the harshest environmental conditions in the world, including intense sunlight, coastal salt spray, wide temperature fluctuations, and high humidity, Australia presents unique challenges for solar infrastructure.
These environmental stressors can accelerate the degradation of photovoltaic (PV) modules, causing issues like delamination, corrosion, and reduced power output over time. Ensuring long-term reliability is crucial for maintaining system performance throughout its lifespan and is as important as initial efficiency in determining the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE).
A new collaboration between Tindo Solar and the University of New South Wales (UNSW) is focused on improving the durability and performance of next-generation Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact (TOPCon) photovoltaic modules.
The Promise of TOPCon Solar Modules
TOPCon modules, short for Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact, are now the dominant technology in the photovoltaic industry. Offering significant gains over conventional PERC (Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell) modules, TOPCon can achieve energy conversion efficiencies of over 27% compared to up to 25% for PERC. This efficiency boost translates directly into higher energy yields from the same installation footprint.
TOPCon solar cells feature a so-called passivated contact, a contact that combines a good electrical contact for either electrons or holes (electrons in the case of TOPCon) with a good surface passivation that limits the recombination of electron-hole pairs in the solar cell. The first TOPCon contact was developed in the early 1980s by Scientia Professor Martin Green at UNSW; however, commercial development only began in the early 2010s, spearheaded by Fraunhofer ISE and subsequently the Chinese industry.
But with innovation comes the need for validation. As a relatively new technology, TOPCon modules need to prove they can perform reliably not just in ideal lab conditions, but out in the field under heat, humidity, UV exposure, and the harsh weather extremes that define many parts of Australia. Ensuring that high-efficiency TOPCon modules can withstand these stresses without performance loss is crucial to reducing LCOE and promoting the development of sustainable solar infrastructure nationwide.
A partnership to build more efficient and durable TOPCon solar modules
Australia’s only solar module manufacturer, Tindo Solar, has joined forces with the University of New South Wales (UNSW) on two innovative TRaCE-funded projects aimed at advancing solar PV technology.
This partnership leverages the complementary strengths of both organisations – Tindo’s deep expertise in manufacturing processes and material supply chains, alongside UNSW’s world-class research capabilities, which include advanced diagnostic tools, accelerated testing protocols, and a proven track record in photovoltaic reliability. Together, they are committed to developing the next generation of solar technology that is not only highly efficient but also built to endure Australia’s challenging conditions.
Leading the research is Professor Bram Hoex, one of Australia’s leading solar experts and a recognised authority on cell degradation mechanisms. His team has already delivered breakthrough findings in a similar TRaCE-supported project with global PV manufacturers, uncovering failure pathways unique to newer high-efficiency cells that were not a concern in for PERC technology.
“TOPCon presents an exciting leap in efficiency. But to ensure its long-term success, we have to understand its unique features, including its sensitivities to the various environmental stresses,” says Professor Hoex. “The TOPCon solar cell manufacturing process is evolving rapidly, with frequent adjustments that can either positively or negatively impact cell sensitivity to module components and environmental stresses. Identifying these vulnerabilities and understanding their fundamental mechanisms is essential for designing modules well-suited to Australia’s climate, while also unlocking opportunities for broader global applications.”
The project focuses on accelerated stress testing, contaminant sensitivity analysis, and microscale degradation modelling to uncover how environmental factors affect TOPCon module performance – feeding these insights directly into Tindo Solar’s production line to develop more durable, market-ready technology.
“Tindo and UNSW are optimising TOPCon technology so it produces high levels of power in all climatic conditions. Tindo has its own in-house design and engineering innovation function, but we also partner with high-level research organisations such as UNSW – it’s the blend of industry and research that will develop the next generations of solar technology,” says Richard Petterson, Chief Executive Officer of Tindo.
Together, UNSW and Tindo Solar are creating more than just a better solar panel, they are building a blueprint for collaborative innovation in Australia’s clean energy sector. By fusing scientific rigour with manufacturing insight, this partnership is delivering technology that is designed, tested, and built for Australia’s future.
