Vertically integrated monocrystalline silicon solar module producer LONGi Solar announced it achieved 20.66% module conversion efficiency for a the frontside of 60-cell bifacial module using monocrystalline PERC technology and a shingle design.
LONGi Solar said that the China General Certification Center (CGC), an authoritative, independent testing organization, has validated that LONGi Solar's 60-cell bifacial shingling module of 20.66% is the highest in the world to date.
"This breakthrough in module conversion efficiency further confirmed the development potential of monocrystalline PERC. We firmly believe this will completely replace mainstream products in the next 3 years and effectively improve PV system's power generation efficiency and reliability, which in turn reduce LCOE and brings customers more benefits," said company's Vice President, Dr Lv Jun.
PERC, bifacial and shingles are a number of technologies used in advanced solar module designs (see the TaiyangNews Advanced Module Technology Report 2017 for details). LONGi says it will gradually bring its innovative technologies to mass production and apply the advanced technologies to its products.
In April 2018, LONGi announced that its 120-cell half-cut monocrystalline PERC module exceeded 360 W (see LONGi Half-Cut Mono PERC Module Breaks 360 W). Before this, in February 2018, the Chinese manufacturer broke a world record with 23.6% for monocrystalline PERC solar cells (see 23.6% PERC Mono Cell World Record From LONGi).
LONGi has increased its investment in research and development (R&D). In 2017, it invested $175.7 million, or 6.77% of revenue, on such R&D initiatives.
New supply agreement with Tongwei
In a separate development, fellow Chinese polysilicon maker Tongwei has agreed to sell 55,000 tons of polysilicon to LONGi by 2020. It will be supplied in phases with 4,000 tons scheduled for 2018, followed by 21,000 tons in 2019 and 30,000 in 2020.
This deal follows the company's deal with Daqo New Energy for 39,600 tons of ultra-high quality polysilicon starting 2018 (see Daqo Secures Big Silicon Deal With LONGi).
Together LONGi, Trina and Tongwei are working to set up 5 GW monocrystalline silicon ingot crystal growth facility in China (see LONGi, Trina & Tongwei To Build Ingot Factory).