Below are key excerpts:
1. Market Structure
Q: Industry Fundamentals Remain Unchanged: Why Is LONGi Confident About Growth?
Li Zhenguo: In 2024, LONGi implemented three major adjustments. First, we achieved breakthroughs in second-generation BC (Back Contact) cell technology. By the second half of 2025, we'll achieve 50GW proprietary BC cell capacity plus about 10GW through partnerships, totaling 60GW—making this the world’s most advanced mass-produced PV product. Second, we optimized organizational efficiency by eliminating redundancies and enhancing team capabilities. Third, the company clarified its strategic positioning beyond module manufacturing. It will continue to expand scenario-based applications, including solar energy storage solutions and development of hydrogen-ammonia-methanol projects.
2. Technology Roadmap Selection
Q: Why is LONGi confident about BC cells despite market doubts?
Li Zhenguo: The physics principle is straightforward: front-side grid lines obstruct sunlight. By relocating electrodes to the backside, BC cells eliminate shading losses, boosting efficiency. However, technical complexity and high costs previously deterred industry adoption. LONGi spent 7-8 years innovating to overcome these challenges. BC technology represents a milestone in PV history, surpassing monocrystalline silicon in technical difficulty.
Q: Are BC cell costs and yields resolved?
Li Zhenguo: Fully resolved. Our second-gen BC products now achieve yields exceeding 98%, comparable or superior to TOPCon. The BC’s cost metrics will become evident in Q3/Q4 financial reports. Notably, BC’s co-planar electrode design enables easier bypass configurations, unexpectedly enhancing module safety—an advantage we initially overlooked. We project BC cells will capture over 30% market share by 2028 and exceed 50% by 2030.
Q: Contingency plans if BC underperforms?
Li Zhenguo: There is no scenario where “BC technology might fail” because we will pursue superior solutions and newer technological breakthroughs. Over the past seven to eight years, while first-generation BC products met all projected technical benchmarks, TOPCon advanced at a faster pace, making BC appear less competitive initially. However, through continuous exploration and research, our second-generation BC products have now matured and outperformed TOPCon. Future iterations will deliver even higher efficiency. Although first-gen BC lacked mass production competitiveness, it established critical technological foundations for the BC platform, enabling the smooth launch of second-gen products.
LONGi adheres to a principle we call “broad research, focused implementation.” This means maintaining parallel exploration of multiple technological pathways during R&D. Therefore, there is no “dead end” for BC technology—we are simultaneously developing alternative solutions as well.
Q: What’s next after BC technology?
Li Zhenguo: Monocrystalline silicon cells approach their theoretical 29.4% efficiency limit, with labs nearing 28% and mass production at ~27%. Tandem cells emerge as the next frontier for cost reduction. However, perovskite tandem technology remains immature, with engineering feasibility still unproven.
3. Competitive Advantages of China's PV Industry
Q: How has China's PV industry achieved such a leading global position?
Li Zhenguo: This achievement stems from the relentless dedication of China's PV professionals and reflects our nation's industrious spirit. Additionally, PV technology has largely remained open-source over the past decade. Innovations quickly become industry-wide common knowledge, with new technologies disseminated throughout the entire sector via equipment and raw material suppliers.
About LONGi
Founded in 2000, LONGi is committed to being the world’s leading solar technology company, focusing on customer-driven value creation for full scenario energy transformation.
Under its mission of 'making the best of solar energy to build a green world', LONGi has dedicated itself to technology innovation and established five business sectors, covering mono silicon wafers cells and modules, commercial & industrial distributed solar solutions, green energy solutions and hydrogen equipment. The company has honed its capabilities to provide green energy and has more recently, also embraced green hydrogen products and solutions to support global zero carbon development. www.longi.com/
