Longi sets world record for silicon solar cell efficiency at 28.29%

Chinese PV module manufacturer Longi has achieved a new world record for single-junction crystalline silicon solar cell efficiency, reaching 28.29%. The power conversion efficiency of the hybrid interdigitated-back-contact (HIBC) cell was verified by Germany’s Institute for Solar Energy Research Hamelin (ISFH).

This achievement marks the third time Longi has broken a record this year, following previous milestones of 28.04% and 28.13% in May. According to the company, this efficiency level represents 96.2% of the theoretical limit for crystalline silicon solar cells.

The HIBC architecture utilizes a combination of passivated tunneling contacts, dielectric passivation layers, and both n-type and p-type contacts. Technical details published in a scientific paper indicate the use of high-resistivity M10 wafers, indium tin oxide (ITO) layers to improve lateral transport, and multilayer aluminum oxide and silicon nitride coatings to reduce surface recombination.