Tongwei Co., Ltd. PV CTO Xing Guoqiang: Technological innovation is the primary path to escape low-quality competition and build core competitive advantages.

On June 3, the 19th (2026) International Solar PV and Smart Energy & Energy Storage and Battery Technology and Equipment (Shanghai) Conference and Exhibition opened in Shanghai. Tongwei announced that, after testing by the internationally authoritative institution TÜV Rheinland, its THC-G12 heterojunction copper interconnection module achieved an output power of 802.43W, with a full-area conversion efficiency of 25.83%, breaking the heterojunction module power record for the twelfth time.

THC is Tongwei's key technology-focused heterojunction module product direction. To support THC mass production, Tongwei has developed an industry-leading THL integrated solution in the copper interconnection field, achieving 100% silver-free heterojunction modules, with synergistic efforts spanning bifacial microcrystalline, copper interconnection metallization, and 0BB module technology.

In response, Tongwei Co., Ltd. PV CTO Xing Guoqiang stated in an interview with China Energy News: "Technological innovation is the primary path to escape low-quality competition and build core competitive advantages. Tongwei has always treated technological innovation as the core competitiveness of enterprise development. The more the industry faces challenges, the more we must press forward in R&D."

Xing Guoqiang, Chief Technology Officer of Photovoltaic Business at Tongwei Co., Ltd., was interviewed by the media.

1

Technology Cluster Supports Innovation Breakthroughs

"Breaking the power record for the twelfth time is a concentrated demonstration of Tongwei's technological innovation strength," Xing Guoqiang told China Energy News. The record-breaking THC-G12 heterojunction copper interconnection module is the result of synchronized efforts at both the cell and module levels.

At the cell level, Tongwei adopted copper interconnection metallization technology to achieve 100% silver-free heterojunction modules, breaking through the constraint of precious metal silver paste on mass production costs. Tongwei's R&D team pioneered a three-segment manufacturing solution, combined with back-grinding technology, ultra-fine copper grid line technology, and edge optimization technology, driving breakthrough progress in cell efficiency through multiple approaches.

At the module level, the integrated application of advanced technologies including busbar-free interconnection technology, ultra-high aperture ratio design, ultra-high throughput light utilization, and ultra-low loss wire transmission achieved higher light utilization efficiency and lower current transmission loss. "It is the dual effect of cell efficiency improvement and module technology optimization that pushed the power to new heights," Xing Guoqiang said.

The THL integrated solution is the core support for THC product mass production. Xing Guoqiang explained that from bifacial microcrystalline technology, copper interconnection silver-free metallization, to 0BB module technology, the three aspects synergistically build a "cost reduction and efficiency enhancement" ecosystem chain. The THL solution has already achieved GW-level mass production capability. "Going silver-free is not just a cost consideration — it is a strategic choice to ensure the future large-scale development of the PV industry is not constrained by resources."

Xing Guoqiang stated that the THC-G12 heterojunction copper interconnection module breaking 800W in power and reaching 25.83% in efficiency marks that Tongwei has built solid competitive barriers in the heterojunction technology track. "The essence of PV is converting light into electricity. Every kilowatt-hour for customers is real money. We pursue power records, but the ultimate goal is to translate technological leadership into long-term returns for customers."

2

Multiple Technology Routes Deployed in Parallel

During the critical period of rapid PV technology iteration, Tongwei did not bet on a single technology route. Xing Guoqiang told China Energy News that the company is advancing in parallel around TNC, THC, TBC, and perovskite tandem and other frontier directions, building an innovation system covering the full chain of "R&D — pilot — mass production."

At the exhibition, Tongwei focused on showcasing the new-generation TNC high-efficiency cell technology innovation results. TNC 3.0 modules feature three core manufacturing technology upgrades — TPE 2.0 edge passivation technology, Poly Tech 2.0 patterning technology, and full steel plate printing technology — achieving value leaps across three dimensions: higher power, more generation, and stable reliability. Among them, the G12-66 format reaches a maximum power of 770W with a conversion efficiency of 24.8%.

Xing Guoqiang stated that TNC 3.0 adopts a four-segment design with louver-style interconnection technology. The module internal loss is only one-quarter of that of half-cut products, while eliminating approximately 0.6% of the module's internal ineffective power generation area, delivering a power gain of over 5 watts. Additionally, TNC 3.0 bifacial modules can achieve up to 90% bifaciality. In high-reflection scenarios such as deserts, snowy areas, and water surfaces, the rear-side power generation gain can be directly converted into incremental revenue for project owners.

In the TBC technology field, Tongwei has built the industry's first HTBC three-segment pilot line. The n-type TBC cell R&D batch efficiency reached 27.29%, the HTBC cell R&D batch efficiency reached 27.40%, and TBC module power exceeds 680W. Xing Guoqiang revealed that BC technology targets the high-end distributed market, and Tongwei has made full technological preparations.

In the frontier field of perovskite, Tongwei has also been laying the groundwork early. In September 2025, Tongwei achieved full commissioning of the industry's first fully automatic megawatt-level perovskite-crystalline silicon tandem cell pilot line. The small-area tandem cell R&D efficiency reached 34.94%, and the 210 half-cut full-size tandem cell conversion efficiency reached 31.69%. "These frontier deployments rely on the pilot platform of the Global Innovation and R&D Center and are continuously accelerating mass production conversion," Xing Guoqiang said.

3

Innovation Investment Builds a Solid Foundation for Development

"The more difficult the industry adjustment period, the more technological innovation must press forward." Facing the profound transformation of the PV industry from "scale expansion" to "value creation," Xing Guoqiang stated that Tongwei maintains long-term strategic resolve — during the cycle trough, the company shifts its focus back to technological innovation and quality leadership strategy, using innovation to escape "involution-style" competition.

The confidence in this strategy comes from continuously increased R&D investment. Xing Guoqiang introduced that in 2025, Tongwei's PV segment R&D investment exceeded 2.2 billion yuan, accounting for 3.75% of PV business revenue, at an industry-leading level. To date, Tongwei's cumulative R&D investment in recent years has exceeded 11 billion yuan, with 3,956 patents authorized in the PV segment. The Tongwei Global Innovation and R&D Center, completed and put into operation in June 2024, is positioned as the anchor point for "finding direction, preventing risks, positioning markets, and developing mainstream technologies" for Tongwei over the next 5 years, 10 years, and even longer. It is also an important engine for leading frontier technology development in the industry and cultivating new quality productive forces in PV.

The elevation of platform capabilities has further consolidated the innovation foundation. In December 2025, Tongwei was approved as one of the first national-level and the only PV industry "National Manufacturing Pilot Platform," with a selection rate of just 8.5 per thousand. Leveraging this platform and the National Enterprise Technology Center, the Tongwei Global Innovation and R&D Center will continue to increase parallel R&D and pilot verification of multiple frontier technologies including TOPCon, HJT, BC, and perovskite/crystalline silicon tandem. With its strong technological accumulation, Tongwei has also become the lead unit of the national key R&D program for the "15th Five-Year Plan" period — the first private enterprise to assume this responsibility since the founding of the PRC.

"Tongwei has formed tight technical barriers and an intellectual property system across all technology fields," Xing Guoqiang revealed. The company has co-established the Sichuan Crystalline Silicon PV Industry Innovation Center with multiple upstream and downstream industry chain leaders, building a "government-industry-academia-research-capital-application" collaborative innovation system to solve key core technology bottlenecks and promote healthy development of the entire industrial chain.