China’s LONGi Green Energy Technology has set a new world record for crystalline silicon solar module efficiency, achieving an unprecedented 25.4%.
The record, certified by Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE, highlights LONGi’s innovative HPBC 2.0 back-contact technology.
The breakthrough is set to be recognised by the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and included in the Martin Green Module Efficiency World Historical Record List, making LONGi the first Chinese company to claim the record since official documentation began in 1988.
LONGi’s achievement of 25.4% efficiency, exceeding the previous 25% record by NREL and Maxeon’s 24.9% milestone in January, highlights the company’s advanced positioning in back-contact (BC) solar technology.
Developed by LONGi’s in-house R&D team, the HPBC 2.0 cells represent a significant leap from earlier models, and the company plans to commercialise them by 2025. The leap in module efficiency also sets a new bar in the global photovoltaic (PV) sector as companies worldwide race to make solar technology more efficient and accessible.
LONGi’s milestone continues a 17-year trend of BC technology dominating crystalline silicon module records since Sunpower’s 2007 breakthrough at 20.3%. Since then, BC technology’s design and reliability have kept it at the forefront, maintaining leadership over other crystalline silicon technologies such as interdigitated back contact (IBC).
The achievement showcases LONGi’s dedication to efficiency advancements, which it has pursued over the past three years, breaking 18 cell efficiency records.
Currently, the company holds two other global records: 34.6% efficiency for crystalline silicon-perovskite tandem cells and 27.3% efficiency for crystalline silicon heterojunction back contact (HBC) cells. This latest accomplishment makes LONGi not only a cell efficiency leader but also a module efficiency record-holder.
LONGi’s CEO, Li Zhenguo, commented on the milestone, noting that it represents a key step for the PV industry. “This record achievement demonstrates LONGi’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of solar technology. By developing high-efficiency and low-cost solar solutions, we aim to accelerate the global transition to clean energy,” he said.
The company is focused on maximising energy output while minimising the land and resources needed to achieve desired energy yields, a mission that aligns with carbon neutrality goals worldwide.
LONGi’s accomplishment also aligns with its recent product launches, notably the Hi-MO X10 series modules, which use HPBC 2.0 cells and offer a production cell efficiency exceeding 26.6%.
The series, along with the Hi-MO X6 and Hi-MO 9 models, reflects LONGi’s commitment to advancing both module and cell efficiency across product lines catering to various market segments, from residential rooftops to utility-scale solar projects.
China’s solar sector, the world’s largest, has surged on the back of robust domestic demand and accelerating global renewable energy targets, with Chinese companies now responsible for over 70% of global PV module production.
LONGi’s latest efficiency milestone strengthens both its competitive standing and China’s influence in renewable energy tech.
The company’s investment in back-contact technology, showcased in its HPBC 2.0 series, positions LONGi to drive further advancements in the solar industry.
This record-breaking efficiency could have substantial implications for the global PV sector, given the high energy output potential of these modules.
For the end user, the increased efficiency translates to higher energy yields with fewer modules, potentially lowering installation costs and expanding solar accessibility.
According to industry analysts, advancements like these in module efficiency are essential to achieving global renewable energy targets and meeting growing electricity demands sustainably.
The push for increased PV module efficiency is expected to drive down costs, which remains critical to the widespread adoption of solar technologies.
LONGi’s HPBC 2.0 technology, set to launch commercially in 2025, is likely to prompt heightened R&D competition across the sector, furthering advancements in crystalline silicon.
With the solar industry’s rapid evolution, the 25.4% efficiency milestone is expected to fuel broader innovation, aiming to enhance PV performance to match rising demand for clean energy solutions.
