LONGi Sets a New World Record at the Module Level with its HPBC 2.0 Back-Contact Solar Cells
LONGi’s New Photovoltaic Module Enters the Champion Photovoltaic Module Efficiency Chart
LONGi has set a new milestone in the solar energy sector with its HPBC (Hybrid Passivated Back Contact) photovoltaic module, achieving the world’s highest conversion efficiency for both back-contact PV technology and the broader category of single-junction crystalline silicon. This impressive efficiency rate of 25.4% was independently certified by the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE in Germany and has earned a spot on the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)’s Champion Photovoltaic Module Efficiency Chart.
LONGi’s HPBC module operates within the realm of back-contact technology, also known as Interdigitated Back Contact (IBC), an approach where all electrical contacts are moved to the back of the solar cell. This design allows the front side to capture more light, enhancing energy production.
IBC technology was first introduced by Lammert and Schwartz in 1975 and later developed by SunPower, a leader and pioneer in IBC cells. In March 2017, the Japanese company Kaneka achieved an HBC cell efficiency of 26.7% by combining Heterojunction (HJT) and IBC cell technologies. This efficiency record held for five years before being surpassed.
HPBC Photovoltaic Module: The Technology Behind the Record
LONGi’s HPBC 2.0 represents a peak in back-contact (BC) advancements. HPBC, standing for Hybrid Passivated Back Contact, specifically applies IBC technology on P-type silicon wafers. This design enhances light absorption and photoelectric conversion capabilities, thus improving panel performance even under high temperatures and low-light conditions.
“We firmly believe BC technology will become the dominant force in crystalline silicon cells, including both bifacial and monofacial designs,” commented LONGi President Zhong Baoshen. “In the future, a significant portion of LONGi’s product range will follow the BC technology pathway. Our mission is to promote this widely recognized technological platform, which offers high compatibility and excellent weather resistance, across a broader range of applications and markets.“
In November 2022, the company introduced HPBC 1.0, launching the era of back-contact technology. Now, two years later, HPBC 2.0 builds on its predecessor’s results with innovations in cell substrates, passivation technology, and production processes, achieving over 26.6% cell efficiency in mass production.
