Module quality, reliability and proven performance are at the heart of bankability assessments and investment decisions for solar PV projects, said Chao Jia, president of LONGi Europe for DG. He says this is why advanced module technologies such as back contact are gaining relevance.
What factors are driving the shift to advanced solar PV module technologies for C&I rooftop projects in Europe?
Chao Jia: Businesses across Europe are dealing with volatile energy prices and increasing pressure to decarbonise their core activities, while grid connections are limited or delayed. Many companies want to produce more of their own electricity, but are faced with limited roof space, complex building structures and uncertainty about long-term returns. Renewable energy investments must compete with core business priorities, and payback times are under greater scrutiny than ever.
For EPCs and installers, labor shortages persist, margins are tight and projects are expected to be delivered faster and with less risk. Roof projects have become more complex, with shading, load limits and safety considerations playing a greater role. At the same time, EPCs are increasingly being asked to support long-term performance guarantees and system reliability.
As we enter 2026, banks and lenders are increasingly focused on predictable cash flows, long-term performance and technology risks. The quality, reliability and proven performance of modules are at the heart of fundability assessments and investment decisions.
All of this is changing the way solar decisions are made, which is why advanced module technologies are gaining relevance. They respond directly to what companies and EPCs need today.
Why are advanced solar technologies such as back contact receiving increasing attention from installers, developers and asset owners?
Chao Jia: As projects become more complex, tolerance for shade, heat stress and part load becomes decisive. This is where back contact has shown clear benefits in practice.
In our own field experiments and stress tests, mainstream technologies such as TOPCon showed weaknesses under realistic roof conditions, especially under shade and heat stress. In practice, this leads to yield losses, higher thermal stresses and increased operational risk.
Greater efficiency also plays a role. Back contact cells in mass production today operate at approximately 27% efficiency, with module efficiencies exceeding 24%. There is still clear development potential. With continued optimization of the cell architecture, we expect cell efficiency to increase to approximately 28.5% over the next three to five years, with associated module efficiency exceeding 26%.
Image: LONGi
How is the solar market evolving beyond price as the main consideration when purchasing PV modules?
Chao Jia: Project owners, EPCs and financiers have learned in recent years that the lowest initial costs do not automatically lead to the best project result. As margins tighten and projects become more complex, the focus has shifted to lifetime performance, risk management and predictability. This means that yield stability, thermal behavior, safety under shade and long-term degradation now play a much greater role in purchasing decisions than in the past.
This evolution also changes what growth means for solar energy producers. Competing purely on price has proven neither resilient nor sustainable. To create real differentiation and offer high-quality modules with high performance, sustainable investments in R&D have become essential. Through continuous innovation, manufacturers can improve real-world performance and long-term value, rather than focusing on short-term cost savings.
How can module manufacturers leverage their R&D strategy to stay competitive in 2026?
Chao Jia: I think the market shift shows how important it is to listen carefully to what customers need. As demands evolve, products and innovative features must follow.
This means that R&D must start under realistic project conditions. Today, innovation is about solving the everyday practical challenges that installers, asset owners and financiers face. Performance under heat, shade and long periods of operation has become as important as the efficiency on the label.
Another important aspect is flexibility. In today’s market, competitiveness increasingly depends on how quickly a manufacturer can translate specific customer needs into practical solutions.
Flexible R&D, combined with flexible manufacturing, allows companies to respond to these demands, while others struggle because they are locked into standardized products and price-driven capacity utilization.
The questions and answers in this sponsored interview article come from LONGi.
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