The evolution of photovoltaic (PV) interconnection technology has witnessed significant milestones—from 4BB and 5BB to MBB (Multi-Busbar, 9–15 lines), then to SMBB (Super-Multiple Busbar, 16+ lines), and now to ZBB (Zero Busbar). This continuous iteration underscores the industry’s relentless pursuit of higher quality and efficiency. As such, the research, development, and industrial-scale application of ZBB technology align perfectly with the prevailing direction of PV innovation.
What Is ZBB Technology?
In a PV module, busbars serve two primary functions: collecting current from the fingers and enabling series connections between cells. With each technological advance, busbars have become finer and more numerous, reducing shading and current losses.
ZBB technology represents a breakthrough in this area by:
- Eliminating traditional busbars,
- Utilizing finer and more numerous ribbons,
- Reducing shading and current losses,
- Enhancing current collection capacity,
- Optimizing ribbon and adhesive film design.
These improvements contribute to both higher cell efficiency and a lower Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE), meeting the dual goals of performance enhancement and economic return improvement.
Astronergy’s Leadership in ZBB-TOPCon Technology
Astronergy is an industry pioneer in integrating ZBB with TOPCon cell technology and scaling it to mass production. The ZBB-TOPCon platform developed by Astronergy is:
- Mature and versatile, compatible with various n-type technologies (e.g., HJT, BC),
- Production-ready, enabling the launch of a complete ZBB-TOPCon product lineup,
- Application-flexible, catering to residential, commercial & industrial (C&I), and utility-scale projects.
These products stand out for their:
- High efficiency and refined appearance,
- Reliability and safety in long-term deployment,
- Environmentally friendly attributes, supporting low-carbon goals.
By focusing on these three pillars, Astronergy continues to create greater customer value across diverse PV scenarios.
Capacity and Scale: Enabling Reliable Delivery
Astronergy’s robust production capabilities form the backbone of its technology leadership. Key milestones include:
- 2023: 1 GW+ ZBB-TOPCon capacity achieved at the Haining Manufacturing Base, Zhejiang Province.
- 2024: An additional 5 GW capacity added at the Fuyang Manufacturing Base, Zhejiang Province.
- 2024 target: Total ZBB-TOPCon capacity surpassing 6 GW.
This positions Astronergy among the industry’s frontrunners in both technology and supply capability.