One of the largest solar PV manufacturers globally, LONGi has introduced a new generation of its building-integrated PV (BIPV) product based on its HPBC cell technology. It claims the product can generate an output of 580 W with an efficiency reaching up to 22.6%.
Named ROOF 4.0, LONGi calls its upgraded BIPV product as the world's 1st commercial and industrial (C&I) roofing system equipped with the company's proprietary back contact (BC) cell architecture based on p-type wafers, called high performance back contact (HPBC).
"BC cell technology faces difficulties in research and development, mass production, and cost reduction, but it also has the advantages of high conversion rate, high power generation rate, better low light response, and high returns for customers," said the President of LONGi Green Energy Products and Solutions Center Lu Yuan during the launch of ROOF 4.0 in Beijing recently.
The HPBC technology helps eliminate metallic contacts on the front-side, thereby shading, leading to higher efficiency. LONGi is eyeing an annual installed production capacity of 30 GW for HPBC modules by 2024, primarily for the rooftop segment.
The manufacturer claims ROOF 4.0 can achieve a power generation efficiency of over 86.9% in 30 years, far exceeding similar products. LONGi has coated the product with aluminum-zinc-magnesium to make it corrosion resistant for 25 years.
The use of 2.0 mm double glass can make it withstand an impact load of over 5400 Pa, according to the Chinese company. It is also equipped with a finite element of non-slip anti-wind and anti-leakage system, and has a no-dust covered design.
LONGi believes ROOF 4.0 can resist category 17 typhoons and can be used in 99.9% of available space in China, especially in coastal regions. The company unveiled its maiden BIPV solar module product at SNEC 2020 (see China PV News Snippets: LONGi BIPV, Trina Solar).
The manufacturer has joined hands with building construction company Center Int to promote the use of ROOF 4.0. LONGi is reportedly the 2nd largest shareholder of Center Int.
The R&D Director of LONGi's BIPV Centre, Dr. Song Zhang will present the company's BIPV technology during TaiyangNews Virtual Conference on Advanced Solar Module Applications on September 26, 2023, and also evaluate its reliability and other characteristics. Registration to the event, where participants will also discuss other module applications such as floating solar, balcony PV and agrivoltaics, is free and can be done here.
Recently, LONGi announced its technological roadmap with TOPCon as the interim cell technology of choice while XBC will be the focus in the long-term (see XBC Is The Future—LONGi).