Solar photovoltaics is one of the most striking success stories in global energy over the past decade. From 2010 to 2023, solar PV’s levelized cost of energy (LCOE) fell approximately 90%, transforming from an expensive niche technology into the cheapest new electricity generation source in most of the world. IEA data shows 2023 global new solar installations exceeded 420 GW — more than three times new wind capacity additions.
## Current Mainstream Technology: PERC and TOPCon
**PERC (Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell)**: the dominant commercial technology of the early 2020s; mass production efficiency around 23%; the standard for commercial silicon solar cells. Chinese leaders (LONGi, Trina Solar, JinkoSolar) have unmatched global scale in PERC production.
**TOPCon (Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact)**: the new mainstream technology transition in 2023–2024; mass production efficiency reaching 24–25%; achievable with moderate line modification from PERC; now the primary capacity expansion direction industry-wide.
## Next-Generation Technologies: Perovskite and HJT
**Perovskite solar cells**: organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite crystal absorbers achieving laboratory single-junction efficiencies above 26% (EPFL record) and perovskite/silicon tandem efficiencies above 33% (KAUST record). Theoretical efficiency ceiling far exceeds silicon. Key challenges: stability (outdoor aging), lead toxicity (mainstream perovskite uses lead), and large-area uniform fabrication processes. Chinese companies (GCL Solar, Microquanta Semiconductor) lead globally in perovskite commercialization with small-batch shipments underway.
**Heterojunction (HJT/HIT)**: combines crystalline silicon and thin-film technology with amorphous silicon passivation layers on both sides; mass production efficiency 24–25%; superior low-light performance and temperature coefficient versus TOPCon. Disadvantage: requires dedicated equipment incompatible with existing PERC lines; high initial capital cost. Huasun Energy is one of the world’s largest HJT capacity producers.
## China’s Dominance in the Global PV Supply Chain
China accounts for 80%+ of global production across the full photovoltaic supply chain (polysilicon → wafers → cells → modules), approaching 90% in some segments. This creates deep global supply chain dependence on China and is a central focus of current trade friction (US tariffs, EU anti-subsidy investigations).
Leading Chinese module manufacturers (LONGi, JinkoSolar, Trina, JA Solar) have established or planned capacity in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and the US to navigate tariff barriers.
See [Battery Storage Technology](https://sunqi.org/battery-storage-technology-en/) and the [IEA Solar PV report](https://www.iea.org/reports/solar-pv).
