Expert: BC panel technology will become photovoltaics’ holy grail. Why?

Leading global photovoltaics expert Radovan Kopecek (founder and director of the ISC Konstanz institute, which specializes in the development and testing of photovoltaic cells) will speak at the Smart Energy Forum conference in Prague on 15–16 October 2025. In his presentation, Kopecek will describe the main trends in photovoltaic panels. Ahead of his visit, we asked him a few questions about promising PV technologies and the future of photovoltaics.

In 2022, it took 68 years for 1 TW of new photovoltaic systems to be installed worldwide. In 2024, it took just 2 years for installed photovoltaic capacity to double to 2 TW. How do you think the photovoltaic industry will change by 2030?

The rapid growth in newly installed photovoltaic capacity reflects a paradigm shift driven by technological progress, lower investment costs and strong political support. By 2030, total installed photovoltaic capacity worldwide is likely to exceed 10–15 TW, making photovoltaics the backbone of energy systems around the globe.

In the near future, I expect annual installations of new photovoltaic systems to reach several TW. Looking at the photovoltaic industry as a whole, its development can be characterized as modular diversification, driven by the higher efficiency of new cell technologies such as TOPCon, Back Contact and perovskite-silicon tandem cells, as well as greater use of bifacial panels.

Which technologies will dominate photovoltaics in the near future?

Back Contact panels (i.e. those fitted with back-contact cells) will become the “holy grail” because they address key challenges in a fundamental way: they absorb light better and achieve higher efficiency. Last but not least, they offer the potential for thinner panels that use less material.

In addition to efficiencies exceeding 25%, BC panels have better temperature coefficients and reduced shading effects. Importantly, they simplify panel manufacturing, which can lower costs and increase reliability. The overall benefits of BC panels go beyond simply increasing efficiency—they open up a new path to higher throughput, improved aesthetics for building integration and long-term stability.

Experts say that around 80 TW of photovoltaic systems will be installed by 2045 and that photovoltaics will cover 80% of the world’s energy consumption. In your view, what will be the key drivers of the global energy transition?

The main drivers of the energy transition include the continued decline in investment costs for photovoltaics and energy storage, supportive policy programs and technological innovation in system integration. Digitalization and AI-based asset management are optimizing performance worldwide.

The electrification and digitalization of transport, industry and heating—including AI applications—are increasing demand for renewable energy. Investment is also supported by society’s drive for carbon neutrality, combined with corporate sustainability commitments.

Last but not least, current concerns about regional energy security, especially in the wake of the pandemic, are driving the diversification and resilience of energy sources—and photovoltaics is becoming a central part of this transition.

Discount and further information

You can discuss new technologies and future developments with Radovan Kopecek, a leading global photovoltaics expert, at the Smart Energy Forum conference in Prague on 15–16 October 2025.

Further information and the option to register for the conference are available on the conference website. Readers of Oenergetice.cz can also get a 20% discount by entering the coupon code “SEFPRAHA”.