### Conventional Half-Cut Crystalline Silicon: A Revolutionary Path for High-Efficiency Photovoltaic Technology

Against the backdrop of the global energy transition, solar energy, as one of the most promising renewable energy sources, is driving the green revolution in energy production at an unprecedented rate. Photovoltaic (PV) technology, as the core means of solar energy utilization, has continuously seen the emergence of various innovative technologies throughout its History, aiming to improve photoelectric conversion efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance system reliability. Conventional half-cut crystalline silicon technology is a significant innovation in this field, optimizing not only the performance of PV modules but also providing a more cost-effective solution for the large-scale deployment of PV power plants.

#### 1. Overview of Half-Cut Crystalline Silicon Technology

As the name suggests, half-cut crystalline silicon technology involves cutting traditional whole silicon wafers in half. Each half is independently encapsulated into a battery cell, and these half-cells are then connected in parallel to form a photovoltaic module. The initial purpose of this technological change was to address the power loss caused by hot spot effects in PV modules under high irradiance conditions. The hot spot effect refers to the phenomenon where, when some cells in a module are shaded or their performance deteriorates, these cells become a load, consuming the energy generated by other normally operating cells and generating heat. In severe cases, this can damage the module. By cutting the cells into halves, the area of a single cell is reduced. Even if shading occurs, the affected area is greatly reduced, effectively mitigating the impact of the hot spot effect.

#### 2. Efficiency Improvement and Cost Optimization

The most direct benefit of implementing half-cut crystalline silicon technology is the improvement in the power generation efficiency of PV modules. Because the cell area is reduced, the current density increases accordingly, reducing resistance losses, allowing the module to output more energy under the same lighting conditions. In addition, the design of half-cell technology also improves the temperature resistance of the module, maintaining high power generation efficiency even in high-temperature environments. This is crucial for improving the annual power generation of the entire PV system.

From a cost perspective, half-cut crystalline silicon technology does not significantly increase manufacturing complexity. However, by improving module efficiency and reducing maintenance costs due to hot spot effects, it achieves long-term cost savings. With the improvement in the level of production automation and the emergence of economies of scale, the cost of half-cut crystalline silicon modules has gradually approached or even fallen below that of traditional modules, laying a solid foundation for large-scale commercial applications.

#### 3. Technological Challenges and Countermeasures

Although half-cut crystalline silicon technology offers many advantages, it also faces some challenges in practical applications. First, there is the issue of breakage rate during the cutting process. The precise cutting of silicon wafers increases the risk of damage, placing higher demands on the cutting process. Second, the packaging of half-cells requires higher precision to ensure good electrical connection and mechanical stability between cells. To address these issues, photovoltaic companies are constantly developing more advanced cutting technologies and packaging materials, such as using laser cutting instead of mechanical cutting, and developing new encapsulating films to enhance the durability and reliability of the modules.

#### 4. Market Applications and Prospects

Currently, half-cut crystalline silicon technology is widely used in ground power plants, commercial and industrial rooftops, and household PV systems, becoming one of the mainstream types of PV modules on the market. Especially in large-scale ground power plant projects, half-cut crystalline silicon modules, due to their high efficiency and good weather resistance, significantly improve the overall power generation and return on investment of the power plant. With the continued growth of global demand for renewable energy and the continuous advancement of photovoltaic technology, half-cut crystalline silicon technology is expected to continue to play an important role in the future, driving the photovoltaic industry towards higher efficiency, greater economy, and environmental friendliness.

#### 5. Conclusion

Conventional half-cut crystalline silicon technology, as a significant innovation in the photovoltaic field, not only effectively improves the power generation efficiency and system reliability of photovoltaic modules but also accelerates the popularization and application of photovoltaic energy through cost optimization. In the face of the arduous task of future energy transformation, half-cut crystalline silicon technology will continue to iterate and upgrade, integrating with more advanced technologies to jointly build a greener, lower-carbon, and more sustainable energy system. With the continuous maturity of the technology and further cost reduction, half-cut crystalline silicon modules will become an important force in driving the global energy transition, contributing to the sustainable development of human society.