Photovoltaic Industry Engulfed in Technology Propaganda War

Currently, the photovoltaic industry is grappling with severe overcapacity. A surge of cross-sector capital has led to cutthroat price competition, driving the internal rate of return (IRR) for some projects below 6%. To secure market share, companies are resorting to "selective empirical evidence" to discredit competitors, exacerbating a crisis of trust within the industry.

Intensifying Battle Among Technology Pathways:

• TOPCon: With high bifaciality and relatively low non-silicon costs (approximately 0.14 yuan/watt), TOPCon has emerged as the mainstream choice for large-scale ground-mounted power plant projects. Its production capacity has exceeded 900GW, capturing 70% of the n-type market. To absorb this capacity, companies emphasize its mainstream status and power generation stability while downplaying efficiency bottlenecks.
• BC Technology: Due to higher R&D investment, companies highlight extreme scenario data to justify the technology premium. BC technology excels in residential rooftop and commercial/industrial applications due to its superior aesthetics and shading performance. However, its low bifaciality becomes a critical drawback in ground-mounted power plant scenarios.
• HJT Technology: Due to higher R&D investment, companies highlight extreme scenario data to justify the technology premium. BC technology excels in residential rooftop and commercial/industrial applications due to its superior aesthetics and shading performance. However, its low bifaciality becomes a critical drawback in ground-mounted power plant scenarios.

The Propaganda War Behind "Customized Testing":

A closer look at these conflicting data reveals a deliberate selection of testing scenarios. Companies conduct "customized testing" tailored to specific conditions to amplify their technological advantages, essentially waging a one-sided propaganda war over technology applicability.

• BC Technology: Performs exceptionally well in shaded and low-light environments due to its front-side grid-free design, but its low bifaciality becomes a critical weakness in ground-mounted power plant scenarios.
• TOPCon: Holds more advantages in unobstructed large-scale ground-mounted power plants due to its high bifaciality and mature technology.

This selective emphasis on favorable data underscores the industry's struggle to navigate overcapacity and intense competition, raising concerns about transparency and long-term sustainability.