The African Energy Forum (AEF) 2024 was held with great fanfare in Barcelona from June 25 to 28 in Barcelona, Spain, bringing together energy experts, policymakers, and industry leaders from around the globe. As the premier annual event in the African energy investment sector, this forum was a platform for in-depth discussions on how to balance Africa’s development needs with global goals in the future energy system. Led by Vice President She Haifeng, LONGi’s team presented the latest high-efficiency photovoltaic product, Hi-MO 9, based on the 2nd generation Hybrid Passivated Back Contact (HPBC) solar cell technology. This marks the debut of Hi-MO 9 in the African market.
LONGi’s BC technology and product lineup were the stars of the show, highlighting the company’s robust innovation capabilities and deep technical expertise in the BC technology arena. Currently, the theoretical maximum efficiency of crystalline silicon solar cells is 29.43%. LONGi’s independently developed back-contact silicon heterojunction solar cell (HBC) has achieved a photoelectric conversion efficiency world record of 27.3%. The latest Hi-MO 9 module, based on high-efficiency HPBC 2.0 cell technology, applied to large ground-mounted power plants, achieves a conversion efficiency of up to 24.43%. With the same land area, the full lifecycle power generation benefits are 6.5-8% higher than conventional N-type products, further reducing the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) for solar power generation and improving overall system performance and stability. For diverse scenarios in Africa such as water surfaces, grasslands, and deserts, the high efficiency of Hi-MO 9 will significantly enhance the economical efficiency of solar power generation, making clean electricity more competitive.
In the forum, LONGi also showcased the Hi-MO X6 product for commercial and residential rooftops, featuring Tairay Wafer and HPBC high-efficiency battery technology, becoming the best choice for distributed users. In addition, Hi-MO 7 modules based on TOP-Con technology, ALK Hi1, and 3000 Nm3/h alkaline electrolyzer products were also exhibited at the forum, forming the best product combination of ‘Green Power + Green Hydrogen’ attracting a large number of visitors.
LONGi continuously breaks through technological innovation, focusing on continuously lowering LCOE and creating greater value for customers. LONGi has established the world’s first “Lighthouse Factory” in the photovoltaic industry, further reducing costs and increasing efficiency through digital intelligent manufacturing, leading the implementation of BC technology in all scenarios, and providing 30 years of stable power generation for power plants.
At this forum, LONGi actively participated in discussions. In the forum on “Promoting Renewable Energy Projects and Enhancing Sustainable Value Chains,” James Jin, President of LONGi Middle East and Africa, stated that all technological innovations aim to successfully apply products and technologies to the renewable energy field and support energy transition. Africa not only has rich oil, natural gas, coal, and hydropower resources but also abundant sunlight. As the cost of photovoltaic power continues to decline driven by innovation, developing solar energy in Africa can not only solve energy equity issues but also produce clean and cheap green electricity to manufacture green hydrogen and green ammonia, meeting the needs of surrounding regions. LONGi believes that ‘Green Power + Green Hydrogen’ represents the future of Africa’s energy landscape, balancing African needs with global goals.
Africa’s unique ecological environment also makes sustainable energy development a focal point of discussion. James Jin emphasized that Africa’s energy development should address the issue of carbon emission transfers, helping high-energy-consumption industries on the continent reduce carbon emissions, and advocated for the promotion of the “solar for all” concept in Africa, using “Green Power” to produce “green products,” with the dual goals of developing the energy economy and protecting the original natural environment of the frican continent.
The future of Africa’s energy landscape has become a global focal point. LONGi’s product management, product planning, and leadership and business teams have deeply engaged with the market, not only bringing the latest BC technology and products, as well as ‘Green Power + Green Hydrogen’ system solutions to the African market, gaining significant attention from experts and leaders from various fields, but also demonstrating LONGi’s focus and confidence in the African market. LONGi firmly believes that the application and rapid popularization of BC technology will provide strong support for Africa’s sustainable development and energy future. LONGi will work closely with all parties in the African energy sector to contribute to the future energy landscape and development of Africa.
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About LONGi
Founded in 2000, LONGi Green Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (LONGi for short) aspires to be the most compelling solar technology company by leading the world’s transition to green energy. Being committed to the mission of making the best of solar energy to build a green world and the brand image of the most trusted, reliable solar company that blazes the trail for green technology, LONGi focuses on technological innovation and endeavors to build its business in five areas—monocrystalline wafers, cells and modules, distributed generation solar solutions, utility plant system solutions, and hydrogen equipment solutions. It has grown into a Green Power + Green Hydrogen product and solution provider that supports the global zero carbon drive. Its business has expanded to over 150 countries and regions worldwide, with manufacturing bases in such countries as China, Vietnam, Malaysia and branches in the US, Japan, Germany, India, Australia, the UAE, Thailand, etc. As the first Chinese photovoltaic enterprise ever to join the RE100, EP100, EV100 and SBTi initiatives, LONGi is committed to advancing green and sustainable development, aiding the global energy transition, and contributing to the vision of a “Zero-carbon Earth” and a “Green Earth”.
