LONGi Green Energy Technology has announced an ‘unprecedented world record’ with 27.81% efficiency for its proprietary Heterojunction Interdigitated Back Contact (HIBC) silicon solar cell.
The Chinese manufacturer said this efficiency level is certified through rigorous calibration tests by Germany’s Institute for Solar Energy Research Hamelin (ISFH). In a statement released, LONGi did not share too many details about the feat.
Among the Chinese firms, LONGi held the efficiency records for the monocrystalline silicon solar cell (n-HBC) and all-back contact solar (TBC) cell efficiency with 27.30% and 27.0%, respectively, last year (see CPVS Releases China’s Highest Research-Level Solar Cell Efficiencies).
Additionally, LONGi has also updated its Hi-MO 9 solar module, reporting 24.8% power conversion efficiency and a maximum power output of 670 W. This, according to the company, outperforms mainstream TOPCon modules by 40 W in mass production.
Hi-MO 9 modules use the company’s proprietary Hybrid Passivated Back Contact (HPBC) 2.0 technology and TaiRay wafer. LONGi initially launched these modules in May 2024 with 660 W power, when it also announced achieving 27.3% silicon solar cell efficiency in lab conditions (see LONGi Announces New Lab-Scale Cell Efficiency Record).
The updated module efficiency was announced by the Chinese manufacturer at an event in Anhui, China. It incorporates zero busbar (0BB) technology and full-area passivation using half-cell architecture, which helped boost its power output by 10 W.
Bifaciality has also increased to over 80%, claims the manufacturer, thanks to the optimized rear-side grid design with the use of 0BB.
“Compared to TOPCon modules, Hi-MO 9 delivers a 1.5% absolute efficiency gain, increases installed capacity by approximately 6.4% under equivalent land area, and reduces upfront investment costs of photovoltaic power plant,” according to the team. Various case studies from various high-temperature locations in China and Saudi Arabia have been shared.
LONGi’s Vice President Dennis She added, “The upgraded Hi-MO 9, powered by HPBC 2.0, will deliver unparalleled value to the customers worldwide. We are committed to sharing BC innovations with global partners to build a sustainable future.”
During the press conference, LONGi shared that it now has more than 38 GW of back contact production capacity, while its global order reserves exceed 40 GW.
