First Energy: From Solar Cells to Utility-Scale Plants, Safeguarding Your Value

High-quality solar cells form the foundation for stable returns over a 25-year project lifetime. Through R&D, manufacturing, and collaboration with global module partners, First Energy translate advanced cell technologies into high-performance modules that meet real-world operational demands.

November 06, 2025. By News Bureau

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Nanjing First Energy Co. Ltd

From polysilicon to solar cells, First Energy Co., Ltd. is committed to advancing the global clean energy transition. Since its establishment in 2007, the company has built a fully integrated value chain covering polysilicon, ingots, and solar cells. With over a decade of deep presence in the Indian market, First Energy has earned customers’ trust through high quality, reliable delivery, and continuous innovation, becoming a vital bridge between China’s manufacturing and the global solar value chain.

In the solar industry, we go beyond serving module manufacturers—we focus on the entire value chain, reaching end investors and system owners. Their success—lower LCOE, higher energy yield, and long-term system reliability—is the ultimate measure of our value.

High-quality solar cells form the foundation for stable returns over a 25-year project lifetime. Through R&D, manufacturing, and collaboration with global module partners, we translate advanced cell technologies into high-performance modules that meet real-world operational demands.

Performance Comparison Across Solar Panels

The three major N-type technologies—TOPCon, HJT, and BC—are evolving in parallel in the global market. However, real-world outdoor performance reveals significant differences in power degradation, energy yield, and cost control.

We conducted a comparative study using 9 TOPCon, 4 BC, and 4 HJT modules tested from November 2023 to August 2025 under the challenging environmental conditions of Xi’an—temperatures from 41.8 °C to -20 °C, annual rainfall of 500–750 mm, and ~1,500 hours of sunlight per year.

Comparison Dimension	TOPCon	BC (Back Contact)	HJT (Heterojunction)
Initial Degradation Rate	0.52%–1.48%, all below industry standard (≤2%)	2.27%–2.38%, some models show higher decay	4.02%–4.30%, significant loss under high temperature & humidity
Long-Term Degradation (651 days)	Most samples degrade only 0.93%–2.19%; only one up to 4.46%	Highly variable: 600W model 1.34% (good), 455W model 3.67% after 566 days	Both retests >3%, indicating high long-term risk
Cumulative Degradation (25 years)	≤14%	≥16%	≥18%
Average Annual Power Degradation	≤0.6%	0.8%–1.0%	≥1.0%
Power Stability (Outdoor)	Excellent under high temperature, humidity, and radiation	Sensitive to environment, partial failure risk	Poor weather resistance due to silver paste and TCO aging
LCOE	Lowest, 0.015–0.02 RMB/kWh lower than BC	Moderate	Highest, limited short-term economics
Module Price Difference	~0.1 RMB/W lower than HJT, 0.06–0.09 RMB/W lower than BC	0.06–0.09 RMB/W higher than TOPCon	~0.1 RMB/W higher than TOPCon
Project ROI (1GW)	Procurement cost saved: RMB 60–90M; highest lifecycle yield	High CAPEX, lower ROI	High efficiency but longer payback period
Commercial Maturity	Mature, largest mass production (>100 GW shipped)	Early stage, limited experience	Advanced tech, cost & yield challenges
Application Scenarios	High-temp deserts, Coastal, Rooftop	Premium rooftops only	Hot climates; high cost limits utility-scale
Overall Evaluation	Best stability, balanced cost, wide applicability	Aesthetic advantage; higher cost & degradation	High efficiency offset by degradation & cost

Key Findings:

TOPCon achieves first-year degradation generally below 1.5 percent and long-term power stability significantly superior to BC and HJT, striking an optimal balance between high efficiency and low LCOE. It performs reliably across diverse environments—including deserts, humid coastal areas, and rooftops—demonstrating outstanding economic value and broad application versatility.

Powering India’s Solar Future

First Energy takes an end-to-end, value-driven approach—integrating technology, design, and real-world conditions to maximise energy yield and reliability. With advanced technology, consistent quality, and stable supply, we empower India’s solar growth from the cell to the power plant.

- Yaping Wang, CTO, Nanjing First Energy Co., Ltd. and Jiaolong Wei, Director, Nanjing First Energy Co., Ltd.