Leveraging the international platform of SNEC 2025 in Shanghai, China, LONGi launched its Hybrid Interdigitated Back-Contact (HIBC) technology-based PV module. The company, which has adopted multiple BC cell technology routes, including HPBC, HPBC 2.0, and HBC, recently achieved a lab-scale efficiency of up to 27.81% for its HIBC cell. This efficiency has been substantiated by Germany’s Institute for Solar Energy Research Hamelin (ISFH), says the company.  

Thanks to these lab-scale technological upgradations, the company successfully produced this new HIBC cell, combining the characteristics of HJT and BC cell technologies, on a mass scale. According to the company, this cell technology is based on high-low temperature composite passivated back contact technology. 

Performance  

The module, featuring HIBC cells, boasts a power output exceeding 700 W and an efficiency of up to 25.9%. Crossing the 25% efficiency ceiling for mass-produced modules, termed as the ‘25%+ era’, this technology has set a new benchmark, followed by the BC mass production of 24%+, TOPCon with 23%+, and PERC era of 22%+, explained LONGi. According to the company, this high efficiency can be attributed to advanced high-density packaging technology, which enables a cell matrix screen-to-body ratio of 95.1%, compared to the 93.2% seen in conventional modules. This increase enhances the active light-absorbing area, contributing to improved efficiency.  

Alongside the high efficiency, this module has delivered more than 700 W of power in a 2,382 × 1,134 mm size, vis-à-vis the industry’s standard 2,384 × 1,303 mm, resulting in a power density of 259 W/m², which is up to 34 W/m² higher than its larger counterparts. This will break the industry’s concept of "large size brings high power", stated the company. This high power density can be attributed to the HIBC cell’s superposition of HJT high-quality passivation technology on BC technology, emphasized LONGi. 

Reliability 

In line with the characteristics of HIBC cell technology, this module incorporates high water-resistance PV materials, while exhibiting more than 4 times water vapor attenuation resistance compared to its TOPCon counterpart. This feature, the company says, makes the module suitable for long-term operation in highly humid environments. Plus, its low temperature coefficient of -0.24%/°C, vis-à-vis mainstream products, can ensure up to 3% higher power generation. In addition, due to the low reverse breakdown voltage characteristics of the BC cell structure, this module can reduce up to 70% potential power losses during partial shading conditions compared to a conventional half-cell counterpart, claims LONGi. While supporting power gain, this HIBC cell-based module also mitigates the potential risk of fire generation stemming from hotspot generation due to extended partial shading events.  

Designed with a frame under a module dimension of 2,382 x 1,134 mm, this product exhibits good corrosion resistance. It can withstand mechanical loads of up to 6,000 Pa and 3,600 Pa on the front and rear sides, respectively. Also, the HIBC cell, built with LONGi’s TaiRay wafers with higher mechanical strength, along with the "I"-shaped welding strip design in place of round or multiwire ribbon, reduces the stress on the edge of the BC cells by 48%. These features enhance the module’s resilience against the formation of hidden cell cracks, noted the company.  

"In less than three years, we have taken the efficiency of photovoltaic modules to a new level, which fully proves the high scalability of BC technology - it has greater room for efficiency improvement," said Zhong Baoshen, Chairman and General Manager of LONGi.