Lab confirms negligible LeTID degradation in TOPCon solar cells

Solar panel researchers looked into a long-term reliability question for TOPCon solar cells, a newer type of panel technology now common in the industry. The concern was a degradation issue called LeTID (light- and elevated-temperature-induced degradation), where sunlight and heat over time can slowly reduce a panel's power output. Older panel types were known to suffer from this, and some earlier lab work suggested TOPCon cells might not be immune either.

The good news for anyone with or considering these panels: the researchers found that TOPCon cells experience only a small amount of this degradation, far less than older panel designs. The effect showed up more in lab testing than it's expected to in real-world use, especially when manufacturers use the right heat-treatment steps during production. Panels made with an added manufacturing step called LECO (a laser process that improves the electrical contacts on the cell) showed even less degradation, staying within the performance range that panel warranties typically allow.

In short, this is a manufacturing and materials science finding, not a call for homeowners to check their existing panels or worry about performance loss. It confirms that TOPCon panels, which are increasingly what's installed on rooftops today, hold up well over time when made correctly. If you're shopping for solar or already have TOPCon panels, this research suggests the technology's long-term power output should stay close to its rated performance, consistent with standard manufacturer warranties.