In an in-depth conversation with Li Zhenguo, Founder of LONGi, President of Central R&D Institute and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Technology Management Center, elaborates on the company’s strategic shifts, technological ambitions, and long-term confidence in the photovoltaic (PV) market. As global attention intensifies on sustainable energy, Li unpacks why LONGi is betting big on back contact (BC) cell technology, how it is navigating the complexities of PV manufacturing, and what makes China a dominant force in the solar industry.
LONGi’s Strategic Shift and Market Outlook
Q: With core industry fundamentals stable, what gives LONGi confidence in continued growth?
Li Zhenguo: LONGi undertook three major strategic initiatives in 2024. First, we made significant progress in second-generation BC (Back Contact) cell technology. By the latter half of 2025, we expect to reach a proprietary capacity of 50GW, with another 10GW added via strategic partnerships totaling 60GW. This will establish our product as the most advanced mass-produced PV technology worldwide.
Second, we streamlined operations by removing redundancies and enhancing team capabilities for greater organizational efficiency. Third, we clarified our strategic scope: while we remain a module manufacturer, we are also expanding into scenario-specific applications—such as solar-plus-storage systems and green fuel projects involving hydrogen, ammonia, and methanol.
Confidence in BC Cell Technology
Q: Despite skepticism, why is LONGi committed to BC cell technology?
Li Zhenguo: The science behind BC cells is simple—front-grid lines block sunlight. By moving the electrodes to the back, we remove shading losses and raise efficiency. Though industry adoption was slow due to technical complexity and high costs, we spent nearly 7–8 years solving these problems. BC technology marks a breakthrough for the PV sector, exceeding the technical challenge even of monocrystalline silicon.
Q: Has LONGi resolved the cost and yield issues related to BC cells?
Li Zhenguo: Yes, completely. Our second-gen BC products now reach yields above 98%, equaling or even surpassing TOPCon cells. Cost advantages will become clear in our Q3 and Q4 financial disclosures. Moreover, the co-planar electrode layout of BC cells simplifies bypass design, enhancing module safety—a benefit we hadn’t initially anticipated. We forecast BC cells will hold more than 30% market share by 2028 and exceed 50% by 2030.
Q: What’s the backup plan if BC cells don’t perform as expected?
Li Zhenguo: We don’t see BC as a technology that could “fail.” Our approach is always to explore superior solutions and seek innovation. Initially, TOPCon technology evolved more rapidly, making our first-gen BC appear less competitive. But these early BC products laid essential groundwork for our current generation, which has surpassed TOPCon in performance.
Our R&D strategy what we call “broad research, focused implementation”—ensures we always explore multiple technological pathways. So even if BC doesn’t dominate, we’re ready with alternatives. There’s no dead-end here.
Q: What technological advancements lie ahead after BC?
Li Zhenguo: Monocrystalline silicon cells are approaching their theoretical limit of 29.4% efficiency. Lab tests are nearing 28%, and mass production averages around 27%. The next leap lies in tandem cells. However, perovskite tandem technology is still in its infancy, and large-scale application is not yet feasible.
China’s Leadership in the PV Sector
Q: What has enabled China’s PV industry to achieve such a strong global position?
Li Zhenguo: The credit goes to the tireless dedication of China’s PV professionals, a testament to our national work ethic. Furthermore, the open-source nature of PV innovation over the past decade has accelerated collective advancement. Breakthroughs quickly become shared knowledge, rapidly diffused through equipment and material suppliers to the broader industry.
About LONGi
Founded in 2000, LONGi aims to be the world’s most valuable solar technology company, driving comprehensive energy transition through customer-centric innovation. As a global industry leader, LONGi invested CNY 5.014 billion in R&D in 2024, representing 6.07% of annual revenue, maintaining technological leadership with dual world efficiency records in monocrystalline silicon single-junction cells and perovskite-silicon tandem cells. LONGi leads in ESG performance with its 2024 MSCI rating upgraded to BBB, achieving the highest ESG scores among A+H-listed semiconductor companies and ranking first in the photovoltaic sector. As China’s first PV enterprise to join RE100, EP100, EV100 and SBTi initiatives, LONGi remains committed to advancing green development and building a carbon-neutral future.www.longi.com
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