LONGi Advances Silicon Efficiency to 28.13%, Pushing HIBC Cells Toward 29.43% Theoretical Limit

LONGi Green Energy Technology has documented a new world record of 28.13% conversion efficiency for its silicon solar cells at its Wuhu base in Anhui Province. Announced in April 2026, the milestone was independently certified by the Institute for Solar Energy Research Hamelin (ISFH) in Germany. This breakthrough applies to the company’s independently developed Hybrid Interdigitated-Back-Contact (HIBC) technology, marking a documented improvement over the 28.04% record established in January 2026.

The HIBC architecture represents a reconstruction of cell structures and material systems designed to enhance optical management and carrier transport. This design combines the strengths of multiple cell technologies to optimize interface passivation quality through systematic structural optimization. Central to this achievement are the in-situ Patterned Edge Passivation (iPET) and Laser-Induced Crystallization (LIC) processes. These core technologies allow for crystallization modification and precise charge transport optimization, reducing thermodynamic losses within the cell.

In addition to cell-level gains, LONGi established a secondary record for module-level performance. Modules fabricated using HIBC cells achieved a certified efficiency of 26.4%, following a previously documented efficiency of 26%. This result was verified by the U.S. National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR).

The documented increase to 28.13% demonstrates the rapid pace of iteration, following the 28.04% benchmark set in early 2026. These results indicate that single-junction crystalline silicon is asymptotically approaching its theoretical ceiling. This limit, defined by the Shockley-Queisser (SQ) limit, is established as 29.43% for crystalline silicon architectures. Consequently, HIBC technology is considered the “ultimate solution” for single-junction crystalline silicon before the industry’s projected transition to tandem structures.

LONGi has demonstrated a “closed loop” transition from laboratory research to industrial application. In April 2026, the TaiyangNews commercial efficiency ranking placed the EcoLife series modules at the top of the global market. These modules, powered by HIBC technology, have reached a certified mass-production efficiency of 25%. This scalability confirms that laboratory milestones are translating into high-energy-yield products for large-scale commercial application.