Month: April 2025

BEIJING, April 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The China Electricity Council, TÜV Rheinland, China General Certification Center（CGC）, AIKO, and LONGi jointly released the Back Contact (BC) Solar Technology Development White Paper (hereinafter referred to as the “White Paper”) in Beijing. As the world’s first authoritative report on BC technology for the photovoltaic industry, the White Paper systematically elaborates on BC technology’s industrialization path, core advantages, and sustainable development potential, marking the official entry of BC technology—widely recognized as the “ultimate form of single-junction silicon solar cells”—into the large-scale application phase.

The event was hosted by Prof. Hui Shen, Director of the Yangtze Delta Solar PV Innovation Center, and garnered endorsements and commendations from leading industry experts, scholars and customers.

Professor Martin Green from the University of New South Wales (UNSW), Australia—renowned as the “Father of Photovoltaics”，extended his congratulations via video on the release of the White Paper. He predicted that Interdigitated Back Contact (IBC) technology will gradually supplant TOPCon technology within the next five years, while lauding Chinese enterprises’ industrial advancements in BC applications and the technology’s vast future potential. Mr. Jinhua Wu, Executive President of the Solar Power Branch of the China Electricity Council, emphasized in his address that BC technology will propel the photovoltaic industry toward higher efficiency and lower costs. Mr. Xiaochao Zhang , former Deputy Director of the New Energy Division at China Huaneng Group (one of China’s five major power generation conglomerates) stated that BC technology innovation demands collaborative efforts across the entire industrial chain. “As an end-user, we are actively advancing the commercialization of BC innovations. We are confident that BC products, with their high efficiency and proven reliability, will deliver enhanced value to the end-user market,” he emphasized. 

Expert Insights: Validating BC’s Global Relevance

Dr. Qi Gao, Technical Director of Solar Services at TÜV Rheinland, interpreted BC technology’s reliability standards and testing systems from an international certification perspective. Mr. Gang Zhou, General Manager of the Solar Energy Division at CGC, presented empirical data demonstrating the outstanding performance of BC modules in demonstration projects. Dr. Yongqian Wang, Chief Scientist of AIKO, discussed the evolution and future vision of photovoltaic technology, particularly BC technology, from the perspective of energy transformation. Dr. Xixiang Xu, Chief Scientist and Vice President of LONGi Central R&D Institute, provided an in-depth analysis of BC technology’s process innovations in the context of photovoltaic technology advancement.

Record-Breaking Efficiency & Technological Superiority

This year, BC cells achieved a new world-record efficiency of 27.81% (certified by ISFH), just 1.3% shy of the theoretical maximum. BC cells integrate both positive and negative electrodes on the backside through full back-contact electrode technology, eliminating front-side busbars shading entirely and maximizing light absorption area. This breakthrough significantly improves conversion efficiency while achieving both optical and electrical performance enhancements, solidifying BC’s status as the “ultimate form of single-junction silicon solar cells.”

During the panel discussion session, Mr. Zhenguo Li, Founder and President of LONGi,  and Prof. Wenzhong Shen, Director of the Solar Energy Research Institute at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, along with other industry experts, shared insights on the significance of the White Paper, BC technology’s core breakthroughs, and future challenges. The consensus was clear: BC technology has become the pinnacle of single-junction silicon solar cell development, with its maturity poised to drive future innovation and industry growth.

White Paper Highlights: A Blueprint for Global Adoption

Structured into seven chapters, the White Paper provides an in-depth analysis of : BC technology principles and industrialization pathways；Standardization frameworks and third-party validation；Core performance advantages (efficiency, reliability, bifaciality) ；Application value across utility, commercial, and residential scenarios；Ecosystem development and future trends, etc.

As the “crown jewel” of photovoltaic technologies, BC technology is poised to propel the global solar industry into a new era characterized by higher efficiency and lower levelized cost of electricity (LCOE), injecting powerful momentum into the global energy transition.

 

 

 

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SOURCE LONGi

MUNICH, April 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Sungrow, the global leading PV inverter and energy storage system provider, announced that it won the 2025 iF Design Award for its flagship project, the all-new 1+X 2.0 Modular Inverter. Selected from over 10,000 entries worldwide, it is the first modular inverter ever to receive this renowned recognition—often referred to as the “Oscars of the design world.”

The iF Design Award jury evaluates entries based on criteria including differentiation, form, function, innovation, and sustainability. The 1+X 2.0 Modular Inverter impressed the panel with its groundbreaking modular architecture, intelligent features, and commitment to full lifecycle sustainability. This pioneering solution redefines the future of utility-scale PV inverters—setting a new benchmark in both design and performance.

Small Module, Mega Impact

The 1+X 2.0 Modular Inverter provides increased modularity compared to the previous version. With each unit having a power rating of 800kW, the inverter provides flexible scalability from 800kW to 9.6MW (single unit to 12 units in parallel). This results in great flexibility, which covers various scenarios.

The product’s split modular design isolates critical components (IGBTs, capacitors) in the upper inverter module for quick field replacement. Operation and Maintenance (O&M) time is slashed to one hour per module swap—the easy O&M enables field engineers to perform quick replacements.

With the AI-powered diagnostics function, the 1+X 2.0 Modular Inverter provides real-time fault identification, eliminating manual troubleshooting and delays, accelerating repairs, and minimizing reliance on manpower.

AI-Driven Intelligence for Worry-Free O&M

The 1+X 2.0 Modular Inverter integrates advanced technologies such as AI-driven fault detection, automated air duct cleaning, and intelligent IV curve analysis, to minimize manual intervention and optimize operational efficiency. It can accurately identify and locate over 20 types of faults, reducing reliance on manpower.

Meanwhile, its self-cleaning air duct system automatically eliminates debris at the intake, removing the need for routine manual cleaning. The built-in smart IV diagnosis capability enables real-time, non-intrusive system checks without shutdowns or additional servers, further enhancing refined, digital, and intelligent O&M for utility-scale PV plants.

Sustainability from Start to Finish

From material selection and manufacturing to transportation, installation, operation, and maintenance, the 1+X 2.0 Modular Inverter is engineered for sustainability at every stage. Grid-forming can be used to provide power during plant construction and commissioning by forming a microgrid within or across several inverter blocks. This eliminates the need for diesel generators, accelerates the lead time of grid connection, maximizes power generation for the lifecycle of the project, and reduces emissions.

Moreover, the 1+X 2.0 Modular Inverter boasts a significantly smaller footprint than traditional inverters and reduces material consumption by 15%. Its modular and separable design allows for rapid on-site assembly and disassembly, supporting easy maintenance, part-level reuse, and a greener project lifecycle.

Beyond performance and sustainability, the 1+X 2.0 Modular Inverter achieves a perfect harmony between functionality and aesthetics. Its minimalist design blends clean circular and square elements with a modern white-gray color contrast, striking a balance between technological sophistication and user-friendly appeal. The integrated design between the display panel and rounded-corner ventilation openings not only enhances visual coherence but also improves maintenance accessibility. A black display panel ensures excellent visibility even under intense sunlight, enabling users to quickly read system status at a glance.

The visitors of Intersolar Europe 2025 (7-9 May) will have the opportunity to explore the all-new 1+X 2.0 Modular Inverter at the Sungrow booth (B3.310, B3.410).

About Sungrow

Sungrow, a global leader in renewable energy technology, has pioneered sustainable power solutions for over 28 years. As of December 2024, Sungrow has installed 740 GW of power electronic converters worldwide. The Company is recognized as the world’s No. 1 on PV inverter shipments (S&P Global Commodity Insights) and the world’s most bankable energy storage company (BloombergNEF). Its innovations power clean energy projects in over 180 countries, supported by a network of 520 service outlets guaranteeing excellent customer experience. At Sungrow, we’re committed to bridging to a sustainable future through cutting-edge technology and unparalleled service. For more information, please visit: www.sungrowpower.com.

Media Contact

Mina Zhang
mina.zhang@cn.sungrowpower.com 

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SOURCE Sungrow Power Supply Co., Ltd.