Back in April of this year, Chinese PV module manufacturer Longi Solar announced that it had achieved an efficiency of 25.09% for its bifacial monocrystalline N-type Topcon solar cell. According to Longi, this solar cell was developed at its own research and development center. Based on a commercial-size wafer, this bifacial cell has exceeded 25% efficiency for the first time in history, according to the Chinese manufacturer.
Within just one month, the Institute for Solar Energy Research (ISFH) in Hamelin was able to set a new record after numerous further tests. In May 2021, the efficiency is now already at 25.21%.
In addition, Longi announced that it had achieved two more efficiency records. A monocrystalline Topcon p-type bifacial solar cell was found to have an efficiency of 25.02%. This was also the first time that a cell based on this technology had exceeded the 25% mark. Another record was announced for the HTJ monocrystalline solar cell. This cell was produced by Longi’s New Technology R&D Centre and achieved an efficiency of 25.26%.
Longi continues to pursue the goal of continuous improvement in the solar industry to achieve higher efficiency and more sustainability. According to Li Hua, vice president and head of Longi Solar’s research and development center, increasing such cell efficiency is particularly important for the further development of photovoltaic technology. For research and development, the Chinese company invested nearly eight billion yuan in 2020 and 2021. This is the equivalent of about one billion euros.
Conclusion
As we know, Longi is currently the largest solar manufacturer in the world. This is usually calculated by market value and revenue. Last year, Longi shipped a total of 24.5 GW of modules and thus achieved a turnover of around 54.58 billion RMB (8.43 billion US dollars). It could also be determined that at the turn of the year, the company had annual production capacities of 85 GW, 30 GW and 50 GW for its mono wafers, cells and panels, respectively.
Based on the data listed and the findings in this article, it is expected that Longi will steadily continue to invest significant sums in research and development to remain at the forefront of the market. We can look forward to seeing how quickly efficiencies will improve.
References
Emiliano Bellini ? PV-Magazin; Longi achieves 25.21% efficiency for TOPCon solar cell; 02.06.2021; https://www.pv-magazine.com/2021/06/02/longi-achieves-25-21-efficiency-for-topcon-solar-cell-announces-two-more-records/
Emiliano Bellini ? PV-Magazin; Longi übertrifft mit bifazialer monokristallinen Topcon-Solarzelle erstmals 25 Prozent Effizienz; 07.05.2021; https://www.pv-magazine.de/2021/05/07/longi-uebertrifft-mit-bifazialer-monokristallinen-topcon-solarzelle-erstmals-25-prozent-effizienz/
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