At the 2026 Zhongguancun Forum in Beijing, China officially announced its Top 10 Scientific Advances for 2025, with a major photovoltaic breakthrough led by LONGi Green Energy Technology and Soochow University securing a place on the list. The recognition highlights growing momentum in next generation solar technologies as the global energy sector accelerates toward higher efficiency and broader application scenarios.
The award winning innovation centres on high efficiency and stable flexible perovskite silicon tandem solar cells, a technology widely regarded as a future pillar of the solar industry. By combining perovskite materials with crystalline silicon, the tandem structure captures a wider spectrum of sunlight, pushing theoretical efficiency beyond 43%. This compares to conventional monocrystalline silicon cells, which are nearing their practical ceiling of 29.4%.
LONGi has emerged as the only photovoltaic manufacturer globally with the capability to produce wafer scale ultrathin flexible tandem cells. These cells, measuring approximately 60 micrometres in thickness, are designed to deliver both high performance and mechanical flexibility, enabling new use cases such as curved building integrated photovoltaics and portable energy solutions.
Related news: Powered by LONGi HPBC 2.0 cell technology, redefining a new era of photovoltaic value – the HiMO X10
A key barrier to commercialisation of flexible solar technology has been durability. Repeated bending and temperature fluctuations often lead to interface degradation, reducing lifespan compared to rigid modules. To overcome this, the research team introduced a dual buffer layer structure described as a tight loose configuration. The upper loose layer absorbs mechanical stress while the dense lower layer ensures efficient charge transfer and structural stability. This nanoscale architecture significantly enhances device resilience.
The results are record breaking. The flexible tandem cells achieved a certified conversion efficiency of 33.4% at laboratory scale, validated by the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and 29.8% at full wafer scale. The technology also delivers a power to weight ratio of 1.77 W per gram, underscoring its advantage in lightweight applications.
Industry analysts view this milestone as a critical step in advancing photovoltaic deployment beyond traditional installations. The integration of flexibility, efficiency and durability is expected to open new commercial pathways across sectors, from infrastructure to consumer applications.
The recognition of this breakthrough not only reinforces China’s position in solar innovation but also signals a broader transition within the global photovoltaic industry. As the sector moves beyond efficiency gains alone, application driven solutions are set to define the next phase of clean energy growth, contributing to faster and more versatile energy transition pathways worldwide.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
LONGi’s high quality solar panels are available through an extensive distributor network in Africa. Link to the LONGi distributor list: LONGi Distributors List – Africa
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