Canadian Solar To Start Mass Production Of Topcon Modules With Power Output Up To 690W

Canadian Solar Inc. (the “Company”, or “Canadian Solar”) (NASDAQ: CSIQ), today announced that its majority-owned subsidiary CSI Solar Co., Ltd. will start mass production of high efficiency N-type TOPCon (Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact) solar modules in the first quarter of 2023.

Canadian Solar’s TOPCon modules are best in class and have a power output of up to 690W, and a cell conversion efficiency of around 25.0%, which is 1.5% higher than the average cell efficiency of the mainstream products in the market. Canadian Solar’s TOPCon modules will increase energy yield of PV systems and deliver one of the most competitive BOS (balance of system) cost savings and LCOEs (levelized cost of electricity) for solar power plants, compared to PERC modules.

Canadian Solar will provide a diversified portfolio of the TOPCon products to meet the needs for utility-scale, commercial and residential markets. The TOPCon portfolio includes the 182mm cell based bifacial TOPBiHiKu6 (555W-570W) and monofacial TOPHiKu6 (420W-575W) modules, and the 210mm cell based bifacial TOPBiHiKu7 (615W-690W) modules. Canadian Solar will deliver the 182mm cell based TOPCon modules in the first quarter of 2023 and will start mass production of the 210mm cell based TOPCon modules in the second quarter of 2023. TOPCon module shipments are expected to account for around 30% of the Company’s 2023 total module shipments.

The TOPCon modules will solidify Canadian Solar’s product and technology leadership, while further increasing customers’ return on investment:

Temperature coefficient of Canadian Solar’s TOPCon modules is as low as -0.30%/℃, and therefore, the TOPCon modules will have better performance under hot environments compared to the mainstream products in the market.
No Boron-oxygen related LID (Light Induced Degradation), and therefore, the TOPCon modules will have less power degradation.
The power degradation of the TOPCon modules was only 1.0% after 2,000 hours of damp and heat (DH2000) test, compared to 1.9% degradation of PERC modules under similar test.
The bifaciality of TOPCon bifacial modules can reach up to 85%, with a significant power gain of around 2% compared to PERC bifacial modules under the similar field conditions.
30-year limited performance warranty for monofacial TOPCon modules compared to 25-year for mainstream monofacial products in the market.
Dr. Shawn Qu, Chairman and CEO of Canadian Solar commented, “We are pleased to start delivering our cutting-edge N-type TOPCon modules early next year. The TOPCon modules will become one of our featured products with higher energy yield, lower LCOE and longer performance warranty, compared to the mainstream products in the market. The TOPCon modules will solidify our competitiveness in terms of technology leadership and pricing power. We are committed to delivering more high efficiency and quality products to our customers, while contributing to combating climate change globally.”