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Trina Solar Sets New World Record for Solar Technology Efficiency

China’s Trina Solar (688599.SS) has achieved a groundbreaking milestone in solar technology, setting a new world record for conversion efficiency in its n-type fully passivated heterojunction (HJT) modules. The company announced the achievement on Monday, following certification by Germany’s Fraunhofer CalLab, a leading solar research institute.

A Leap Forward in Efficiency

In laboratory tests, Trina’s HJT modules demonstrated an impressive 25.44% efficiency. This refers to the percentage of sunlight converted into usable electricity, a key metric in solar technology. By enhancing cell efficiency, solar installations can be downsized while costs are reduced, offering a significant advantage in the renewable energy market.

The technology behind the achievement, known as passivation, involves covering surface defects on solar cells to improve their performance. According to Professor Martin Green from the University of New South Wales, Sydney—whose lab previously held the efficiency record for decades—the result underscores the promise of HJT as a next-generation solar technology.

“In the long run, it’s all about efficiency,” Green said. “Even if some technologies are initially more expensive, costs tend to drop quickly as the industry adapts and scales up.”

Trina Solar’s Vision

Trina Solar’s Chairman and CEO, Gao Jifan, emphasised the company’s commitment to advancing passivated solar technology through ongoing research and development. “This achievement strengthens our leadership in solar technology, and we will continue to push the boundaries of innovation,” he stated.

The Future of HJT Technology

While HJT technology currently represents a small share of the market—estimated at 7% of high-efficiency solar cell capacity in 2024, rising to 9% by 2026—it holds significant potential. However, it faces stiff competition from TopCON (Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact) technology, which is projected to dominate the market over the next five years.

This milestone not only represents a breakthrough for HJT technology but also sets a new benchmark for the photoelectric conversion efficiency of single-crystalline silicon solar cell modules, Trina noted in its statement.

As the race for efficiency continues, innovations like these are expected to play a crucial role in shaping the future of renewable energy.


TikTok Returns To US App Stores 

TikTok is once again available for download in the Apple and Google app stores in the US, following a delay in the enforcement of its ban by former President Donald Trump. The ban’s postponement until April 5 gives the administration additional time to evaluate the situation.

Key Developments

The decision to restore TikTok access came after Google and Apple received reassurances from the Trump administration that they would not face legal consequences for reinstating the Chinese-owned app. According to Bloomberg, US Attorney General Pam Bondi sent a letter outlining these guarantees.

In an executive order signed on January 20, Trump instructed the attorney general not to take enforcement action for 75 days, providing time for his administration to determine how to proceed.

Uncertain Future For TikTok In The US

While TikTok is back on the US app stores, its long-term survival remains uncertain. If no deal is reached by early April to address national security concerns, the app may face another shutdown. ByteDance, the parent company, has insisted that TikTok is not for sale.

Legislation And Pressure On ByteDance

The Protecting Americans from Foreign Enemy-Controlled Apps Act, which passed with bipartisan support in Congress, mandates a nationwide ban on TikTok unless ByteDance sells its US operations. This law was signed by President Joe Biden in April of last year.

In late January, the app was briefly removed from US stores following the ban’s activation, impacting over 170 million American users. However, TikTok was restored soon after, following Trump’s intervention in his first hours as president. During that time, he signed an executive order allowing 75 days for a deal that would safeguard national security. Trump also suggested that the US could take a 50% stake in TikTok, a move he believed would keep the app “in good hands.”

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