At the world’s largest solar trade show, SNEC in Shanghai, China, this year, Charles Jiang, the President of LONGi’s Global Distributed Generation Business, sat down for an exclusive conversation with TaiyangNews Managing Director Michael Schmela. They discussed the company’s DG strategy and technology roadmap.
TaiyangNews: Distributed Generation (DG) is exciting and has gained a lot of attention over the recent years. Solar was high on the agenda during the energy crisis. With its focus on very-high-efficiency products, LONGi has very attractive solutions for this segment. Can you talk about the strategy of LONGi's DG business?
Charles Jiang: LONGi is probably the only top-tier company that separates its utility and DG businesses because other top-tier companies mix them together. LONGi thinks that because the users are different, the scenarios are different, and the customers are different. Therefore, we separated into 2 business groups. The DG business group, headed by me, is focused on the distributed generation business scenario with our customers majorly in the C&I and residential space, along with some IPP investors. They have different needs compared with the utility space. They are not only concerned about the return on investment, but also the safety, since most people live or work under a roof. It brings to the picture lots of different aspects in terms of product development.
As for strategy, for the DG business, over the next 3 to 5 years, LONGi will continue to invest in a technology that is user-friendly for residential and C&I environments. That’s why we recently introduced the HIBC technology, which is very good in terms of power efficiency. We came out with the definition of power density because HIBC not only generates high efficiency, but also brings us closer to the next level of power efficiency.
Secondly, we want to make our products user-friendly and safe. For instance, our EcoLife Series products for the residential segment blend aesthetics with their pure black feature, and are easy to carry and install. Even for the C&I segment, we have lightweight modules that are easy to install on rooftops with suboptimal loading capacity. These are 40% lighter than TOPCon.
We have also developed anti-glare products for airports or even for deployment in very high-density areas. We have also launched anti-dust products. This means in the future, modules will not only be about efficiency, but will also need to be suitable for the environment.
Hence, in the near future, LONGi aims to continuously invest in high-efficiency, anti-shading HIBC modules tailored for distributed solar environments. These modules enhance power generation in areas prone to partial shading (e.g., trees, bird droppings), improve safety by preventing hotspots, and ensure stable performance.
TaiyangNews: How are you looking at the system from LONGi's perspective with regard to the DG segment?
Charles Jiang: The solar module is the core foundation of any photovoltaic (PV) system. It's the most visible and essential component. Yet, ironically, it’s often overlooked or undervalued, mainly because modules tend to be perceived as commodities, making it harder for manufacturers to spread their unique value. Secondly, modules are extremely reliable and need low maintenance. Over a 20-year lifespan, you rarely encounter quality issues, which paradoxically leads people to take high-quality modules for granted. In contrast, other components like inverters often need replacement within 15 years, so they remain in focus due to ongoing service needs. This reliability is a key advantage of solar modules, but it can also be a disadvantage, as it makes their importance easier to overlook.
When I entered the DG business, I introduced the concept of ‘More Than Module’ (MTM) – because in the distributed PV environment, it’s not enough to just think about the module itself; the entire solution needs to be considered. For example, in China, I recently found out that about 30% of rooftops are not suitable for solar installation because of structural limitations. The current double-glass modules are too heavy, and TOPCon technology still lacks viable single-glass options, which are necessary in such cases.
That's why we use HPBC 2.0 technology in our lightweight panels. You may say we've already developed products for lightweight applications, but it's more than just a panel. Let me explain why. When we sell this product, whether it's lightweight or standard modules, we must be involved in the solution itself. We need to work together with designers and EPCs to show how this module fits onto rooftops that have limited load-bearing capacity. Even though our panels are 40% lighter, it's not just about weight reduction. It’s about how the system integrates with the structural realities of the site.
That means we’re not just delivering a module, we’re also delivering the technology and the system design concept that makes solar viable in such spaces. Take the airport use case as an example. Airports are typically very cautious when it comes to installing solar due to strict safety concerns. In the beginning, they were hesitant because of worries about glare affecting pilots. But we stepped in, not just with a module that has anti-glare technology, but with a complete solution. We demonstrated how modules could be safely installed without compromising flight safety, while still achieving green energy goals.
That’s why in the distributed generation (DG) business, we’re not just a module supplier, we are a solution provider. Even if we’re not the final EPC, we contribute deeply to the planning and implementation process. We bring value beyond the panel, through our technology, our design know-how, and our commitment to making solar work in complex environments.
TaiyangNews: You have also introduced HIBC. Tell us more about this revolutionary technology.
Charles Jiang: Hybrid Interdigitated Back Contact, or HIBC, is based on the back contact (BC) technology, but is also linked to heterojunction (HJT). It leverages our technology with HBC, which is TOPCon with BC. We use part of that technology and also use the HJT and the Back Contact technology platform, and part of the HJT, so we call it HIBC. I know it sounds very complicated, but usually, a very complicated technology means high-tech technology.
TaiyangNews: In the end, you try to use the best of both worlds.
Charles Jiang: People trust numbers, and with our HIBC technology, we can achieve a world-record 27.81% solar cell efficiency and 25.9% module efficiency. It means we can now deliver a true 700 W module using the industry’s most common form factor – not by increasing size, but by boosting power density. You’ll often see 740 W or even 800 W panels at booths, but many of those simply scale up the module size. LONGi is the first to commercialize a real 700 W module within the standard size. That’s the most immediate and powerful number to demonstrate how efficiency translates directly to power output.
Secondly, thanks to the unique back-contact design, the technology also brings a built-in anti-shading advantage. This makes it especially user-friendly in DG scenarios, where shading is often a challenge.
TaiyangNews: LONGi is already a top performer in the TaiyangNews TOP SOLAR MODULES Listing. When and where will your new 25.9% efficiency module be commercially available? What market segments are you targeting?
Charles Jiang: The product using this high-efficiency HIBC technology has already been launched at Intersolar as part of our EcoLife series for the residential market. It wasn't heavily marketed as HIBC because residential users care more about the actual product features. The EcoLife 510W module (in the compact 54-cell format) is already in production and being shipped to Europe.
We believe residential rooftops – where space is limited, aesthetics matter, and safety is critical – are the ideal starting point for this high-tech solution. Hence, EcoLife is our new brand for residential, distinct from our Hi-MO series, which targets C&I applications.
To answer your question, our next step is to launch the 700W module for the commercial and industrial (C&I) segment. This technology features a more compact module design with higher power density. We plan to introduce it within the next 3 months. Initially, we're prioritizing residential deployment for this new capacity.
TaiyangNews: Regarding this new product portfolio, where will it be available first, and how do you plan to roll it out globally?
Charles Jiang: First, the 700 W modules are for the C&I segment. The residential products are already available. For C&I, the rollout will begin with rooftops that have limited space – because those require high power density to make the most of the available area. So, our 72-cell high-density modules will be launched first, primarily in China. There's been some uncertainty about future distributed utility usage and installations under the new rules. But I believe high-density modules like these will improve the return on investment, even with the new policy framework. This will be a key product for the Chinese C&I market post-May 31st.
Next, we plan to introduce the modules in European countries. These are value-driven markets that appreciate high-efficiency, high-power bin products. And like China, they also face rooftop space constraints. So, Europe will be the second phase of the rollout.
TaiyangNews: And the C&I market is a growth segment.
Charles Jiang: Exactly, especially when paired with storage systems. That’s where we see the second stage of our launch strategy.
TaiyangNews: How does your product design help installers profit and make installations easier?
Charles Jiang: First, our modules are designed in common industry sizes – 2,382 × 1,134 mm for C&I and 1,800 × 1,134 mm for residential. We deliberately avoid oversized formats. Despite using these standard dimensions, we’re able to deliver up to 700 W for C&I and 510 W for residential. This makes installation much easier for installers – no need to adapt mounting structures or workflows for extra-large panels – while also reducing BOS (balance of system) costs thanks to the higher power output per module.
Second, we support installers and EPCs with differentiated marketing tools. For example, we provide materials that explain back-contact vs. conventional cells, anti-shading comparisons, and product value through simple tools. This allows installers to better demonstrate advantages to end users, helping them to sell value, not just commodity panels.
Third, and most importantly, we’re enhancing our after-sales service. For our EcoLife product in Europe, we offer a 24-hour module replacement guarantee, no questions asked initially. Later, if it's found to be a user issue, they may be charged, but the priority is quick resolution. This shows our confidence in product quality and ensures installers can rely on our support without delays.
TaiyangNews: You’re considered one of the pioneers in BC cell technology. While it’s still a niche technology today, it's emerging quickly. How do you see its future over the next 3 or 5 years?
Charles Jiang: First of all, we see strong potential in back contact technology. We currently have HPBC 2.0, which combines TOPCon with back contact, and HIBC, which merges HJT with back contact. By the end of this year, we’ll have 50 GW of HPBC 2.0 capacity. So, this will be our main technology for large-scale production.
As for HIBC, we’ll also reach gigawatt-level capacity soon, but initially, this will be focused on niche markets, such as high-end residential and space-constrained environments. Then, beginning around 2027, we plan a broader rollout of HIBC, aligned with our long-term roadmap.
TaiyangNews: Is the new HIBC product already available for order?
Charles Jiang: Yes, absolutely for residential applications. But volumes are still limited for now. In Europe, we’ve already received 100 MW of residential orders – at a premium price point. There’s always a strong base of technology enthusiasts there looking for top-tier innovation.
TaiyangNews: I think the next important step is about aesthetics. We’re entering the era of all-black modules, and that appeals to many consumers. Are you looking at building-integrated PV as the next frontier?
Charles Jiang: Yes, we are also working on BIPV solutions.
TaiyangNews: Do you have the new HIBC in BIPV format?
Charles Jiang: That will take a bit more time. True BIPV requires very tight integration with the building structure.
TaiyangNews: In Switzerland, I’ve seen installers using standard modules with custom frames to create a BIPV effect. Could your standard product work like that?
Charles Jiang: We take a different approach. We use groove technology instead of a standard rack system – it’s embedded into the building. That’s why rigorous safety testing is crucial for us. But yes, it’s definitely coming soon.
TaiyangNews: Thank you.
.png?w=50&fm=png){kind=logo}