Technology
US Heterojunction Solar Factories Gain Momentum
Heterojunction (HJT) cells are finally being mass‑produced in the United States, with Canadian Solar’s new Indiana plant slated to reach 6.3 GW of annual output.
Canadian Solar’s CS PowerTech subsidiary opened the first phase of its HJT cell factory in Jefferson‑County, Indiana, in July 2026. The initial 2.1 GW line is just the start – the site is designed to scale to a total of 6.3 GW of heterojunction cells per year, a capacity that would make it one of the largest HJT factories outside Asia. The move marks a shift from the traditional manufacturing hubs of China and Southeast Asia to a domestic U.S. supply chain, a trend analysts say could reshape global solar‑panel economics.
HJT efficiency and performance now rival the best‑in‑class modules.
Certified commercial‑grade HJT cells now regularly hit 26.8 % efficiency, with laboratory records pushing past 28 % (LONGi’s 28.13 % HIBC cell in 2026). In mass‑production the technology delivers module efficiencies of 24‑26 % and bifaciality factors above 90 %, meaning the rear side of the panel can generate a substantial share of power under real‑world conditions. The symmetric cell architecture also gives a low temperature coefficient of about ‑0.24 %/°C, so output drops less in hot weather compared with conventional monocrystalline panels (‑0.35 %/°C). For developers, the performance edge translates into 8‑12 % more annual energy yield, while the capital‑cost premium over standard monocrystalline modules is roughly 50‑80 €/kWp.
Why the United States is becoming a new HJT hub.
The Indiana plant is part of a broader push by Western manufacturers to diversify supply chains after recent geopolitical and trade disruptions. By locating production in the U.S., Canadian Solar can tap into the country’s growing demand for high‑efficiency, bifacial modules, especially for utility‑scale projects that need the extra energy per hectare that HJT provides.
How HJT compares with competing technologies.
Compared with TOPCon and perovskite cells, HJT currently offers the most consistent commercial‑scale efficiencies (24‑26 %). Its open‑circuit voltage sits at 740‑750 mV per cell – the highest among silicon‑based technologies – which reduces current‑related resistive losses and improves performance under low‑light and high‑temperature conditions. While perovskite cells show promise, they are not yet in large‑scale manufacturing.
What it means for Israel.
Israel’s residential solar market typically sees a turnkey installation cost of about ₪3,150/kWp and a residential feed‑in tariff of ₪0.48/kWh. A 10 kWp home system in central Israel would therefore generate roughly 17,000 kWh per year, worth about ₪8,160 annually. At the typical installation cost of ₪31,500, the simple payback period is just under 4 years, after which the system delivers virtually free electricity for the remainder of its 25‑year lifetime. The higher efficiency of HJT modules (up to 26 % in commercial production) could increase that annual yield by roughly 8‑12 %, potentially shortening the payback period and boosting lifetime savings. For Israeli developers and homeowners, the arrival of U.S.‑based HJT factories could help lower module prices and accelerate the rollout of higher‑efficiency panels, supporting the country’s goal of a 30 % renewable‑energy share by 2030.
Outlook: scaling HJT production worldwide.
With the Indiana facility on track for a 6.3 GW annual capacity, the global HJT market is expected to grow sharply over the next five years. Analysts anticipate that HJT’s share of new utility‑scale solar installations will continue to rise as more manufacturers adopt the U.S. model. As the technology becomes more widespread, it could become the new benchmark for high‑efficiency, bifacial solar modules, reshaping both the economics of large‑scale solar farms and the economics of rooftop installations for homeowners everywhere.
For a deeper dive into the financial implications for Israeli households, visit our solar ROI calculator and explore the latest market data on our solar data page.
Sources & further reading
FAQ
What efficiency do commercial HJT solar cells achieve in 2026?
Commercial‑grade HJT cells regularly reach about 26.8 % efficiency, with lab records topping 28 %.
How much annual energy can a 10 kWp home system produce in central Israel?
Around 17,000 kWh per year, worth roughly ₪8,160 at the residential tariff.
What is the temperature coefficient of HJT modules?
About –0.24 % per degree Celsius, better than the –0.35 % of standard monocrystalline panels.
Why is the U.S. becoming a hub for HJT production?
Domestic incentives, supply‑chain diversification and growing demand for high‑efficiency bifacial modules are driving U.S. factories.
How does HJT’s open‑circuit voltage compare to other silicon technologies?
HJT cells deliver the highest OCV at roughly 740‑750 mV per cell, reducing resistive losses.
What impact could HJT have on Israel’s renewable‑energy goals?
Higher‑efficiency panels could shorten rooftop payback to ~3.5 years and help Israel reach its 30 % renewable target by 2030.
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