Chinese solar panel maker Longi Green Energy Technology plans to start mass-producing solar cells using base metals instead of silver in the second quarter of 2026. The change is intended to lower the cost of making solar panels and follows a wider industry trend of controlling rising material prices. 
By switching silver for more common metals, it is expected to cut the production costs by about 0.02 yuan per watt. These savings could make solar panels cheaper and make it easier for homes and businesses to manage growing energy costs. 
The move comes as silver prices reach record levels, driven by global political uncertainty and anticipated interest rate cuts in the US. By replacing silver, Longi aims to remain competitive in the tough market while keeping costs under control.  Experts see this step as a smart way to handle rising material costs that have been putting pressure on solar panel production. 
Longi Green Energy has built its reputation on black-contact (BC) solar cells, which are created to capture more energy from sunlight than conventional TopCon cells. This design not only improves power output but also makes it simpler to replace silver with more common metals, giving the company an advantage in lowering production costs. 
While BC cells currently represent a smaller segment of the solar market, Longi’s approach could make them more competitive and encourage wider use. In May 2025, the company noted that substituting silver with base metals is far more feasible in BC cells than in other cell types, allowing a faster shift away from expensive materials. 
By combining efficiency with cost-saving potential, Longi is positioning itself as a leader in the industry’s move toward reducing reliance on precious metals. This strategy enables the company to maintain high-performance standards while making solar technology more affordable and accessible.
The solar sector has been under pressure to reduce reliance on silver as costs rise and supplies become less predictable. Longi’s plan to use more common metals highlights a wider push among manufacturers to cut expenses and maintain profitability in an industry facing intense competition and an oversupply of panels. Falling module prices have caused substantial financial strain, making cost-saving measures a priority. 
In 2025, the four largest solar producers in China together reported losses exceeding $1.5 billion, illustrating the serious impact of market pressures. At the same time, the prices for key materials like polysilicon and wafers have continued to fluctuate, adding further uncertainty for manufacturers. 
These challenges are pushing companies to explore new materials and production techniques that can lower costs without sacrificing efficiency. Longi’s move reflects this broader strategy, showing how innovation and adaptation are becoming essential for survival in the changing solar market. 
In addition to advancing its solar cell technology, Longi is moving to grow its energy storage business across major markets, including China, Europe, the United States, and Australia. The expansions are part of a broader plan to diversify operations and strengthen the company’s position in the clean energy sector, especially as solar panel production faces ongoing cost and supply challenges. 
By focusing on both affordable solar solutions and energy storage, Longi is positioning itself for long-term growth. The company’s approach reflects a commitment to innovation and resilience, aiming to maintain a leadership role in the renewable energy industry even as the market navigates price pressures, competition, and fluctuating material costs. This dual strategy underscores Longi’s vision for a sustainable and profitable future. 
The cost of making solar panels has jumped sharply, largely because of rising silver prices. In 2023, silver accounted for just 3% of panel production cost, but today that figure has surged past 17%,  according to BloombergNEF. The spike was fueled in part by the US Federal Reserve Interest rate cuts last year, which pushed investors to buy silver as a haven. 
To manage costs, Longi is moving to cheaper materials like copper, while JinkoSolar plans a similar switch by the end of 2026. Smaller players, like Shanghai Aiko, have already started producing panels without silver, leading the way in cost reduction.
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