Back Contact (BC) solar technology is emerging as the cornerstone of the next industrial phase for solar photovoltaic (PV) projects by combining record-setting efficiency with lower production costs.
By 2030, PV is expected to account for more than 70% of new renewable energy capacity, making it the single largest renewable power source worldwide. By 2050, cumulative installations could reach 18,200GW, meeting nearly half of global electricity demand.
However, the industry continues to face challenges including overcapacity, falling prices, and growing pressure to innovate for higher yields and reduced carbon footprints.
BC Technology: From Laboratory Concept to Industrial Mainstream
BC solar cells position all electrical contacts on the rear surface of the cell, eliminating front-side metal shading and significantly boosting light absorption.
This design enables mass-production efficiencies above 27%, outperforming conventional tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) cells by approximately 1.6 percentage points — a gain that has historically marked major market-wide technology transitions.
Through sustained research and process innovation, BC technology has evolved from a high-cost, niche solution to a scalable, industrial mainstream option.
Three Breakthroughs Driving Industrialize
Laser Patterning replaced photolithography, reducing manufacturing costs by over 60% and increasing throughput fortyfold.
Wet-process Simplification, cutting chemical steps from ten to three and halving processing time.
Zero-busbar and Parallel Soldering, reducing silver usage by 30% and improving both module reliability and efficiency.
Record Efficiency and Verified Reliability
In March 2025, BC cells achieved a world-record efficiency of 27.81%, only 1.3% below the theoretical silicon limit. Field data from more than 30 demonstration projects across Asia and Europe confirm that BC modules deliver 1.2% to 3.2% higher power generation than TOPCon under clear conditions, and up to 33% higher output under partial shading.
The BC Decade: 2025–2035
This performance advantage, combined with lower material intensity, positions BC modules as a sustainable and cost-efficient solution for investors and developers operating under tightening carbon-footprint regulations.
Industry analysts forecast that BC modules will capture more than 60% of global PV market share by 2030. The technology’s superior efficiency and shading tolerance make it particularly suited for urban rooftops, floating solar installations, desert-based systems, and other high-value commercial applications.
AfDB’s Grant
As global energy transitions accelerate, BC solar technology is set to lead the PV sector from price-based to value-based competition -where energy yield, reliability, and lifecycle sustainability define success.
Meanwhile, in another press notes, the Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group has approved a $6 million grant on October 29 to support the African Risk Capacity (ARC) in boosting disaster preparedness and risk financing across Africa over the 2025-2026 period.
The grant will help ARC maintain its core capacity-building and disaster risk financing services for the Bank’s regional member countries.
Established in 2012 and agreed by 39 African Union member states, the African Risk Capacity provides member states with risk modelling, contingency planning and sovereign disaster risk financing services.
Established in 1964, the African Development Bank Group is Africa’s premier development finance institution that contributes to the economic development and social progress of its 54 regional member states.
The project aims to help African governments move from reactive disaster response to proactive preparedness. It will strengthen national institutions’ technical expertise and operational capacities in disaster risk management, including evidence-based risk assessment, early warning systems and training for policymakers and technical experts.
A key component of the project will enhance countries’ ability to plan and allocate resources for emergencies more efficiently. It will also support the development of stronger institutional frameworks to coordinate rapid and effective responses to natural disasters.
The ARC will work to expand country participation in its sovereign insurance risk pool through increased engagement and new climate risk insurance products offered to its member states. Planned activities include high-level advocacy for the ratification of the ARC Treaty, finalisation of its work programmes with participating countries, and facilitation of insurance premium support.
Implementation will cover all ARC member states, with a focus on regions most exposed to droughts, floods, tropical cyclones and epidemics. Beneficiaries will include policymakers, technical working groups and civil servants, who will receive targeted assistance in disaster risk quantification, contingency planning, risk financing, women’s inclusion, and monitoring and evaluation.
(Based on press releases with credit of APO Sources)
