Solar giant LONGi has announced a new world record of 27.09% for the efficiency of its heterojunction back-contact (HBC) solar cells, a record certified by the Institute for Solar Energy Research Hamelin (ISFH) in Germany.
This latest milestone surpasses the previous efficiency record of 26.81% set in November 2022. LONGi attributes this achievement to its commitment to technological innovation, particularly the implementation of an all-laser patterning process. This approach, aimed at mitigating the high patterning costs associated with back-contact cells, has yielded a 27.09% efficiency HBC cell.
Notably, the decision to move away from the conventional photolithography process has been a key element of LONGi’s research and development strategy. The company’s R&D team employed the all-laser patterning process, which has proven instrumental in achieving this record-breaking efficiency.
LONGi has also addressed challenges associated with the transparent conductive oxide layers (ITO) in HBC cells compared to bifacial HJT solar cells. Through ongoing technological enhancements, the company has developed an ultra-thin TCO layer with reduced indium usage. The indium consumption in the new cell is now 1/5th of that seen in traditional bifacial HJT solar cells.
Li Zhenguo, founder and president of LONGi, emphasized the company’s dedication to innovation, stating, “Innovation is the core competitiveness of enterprises, and LONGi is committed to ‘making the best of solar energy to build a green world.’ Photovoltaics will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in the global energy transition.”
This achievement underscores LONGi’s commitment to BC solar cells as a pivotal element of its future cell technology strategy.
The company revealed in September that it is set to make Back Contact (BC) solar cells the focal point of its technological journey over the next five to six years.
