SMRTR Science & EngineeringNov 24, 2025Interesting Engineering

How the world’s most efficient silicon solar cell reached a record 27.81% efficiency

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Chinese solar manufacturer Longi achieved a record-breaking 27.81% efficiency with its hybrid interdigitated back-contact silicon solar cell, surpassing previous silicon photovoltaic records. The breakthrough involved placing all electrical contacts on the cell's back side to eliminate front-surface shading, combined with advanced techniques like laser crystallization and specialized passivation layers to reduce energy losses. The 133.63 cm² cell delivered exceptional performance metrics including an 87.55% fill factor, demonstrating near-ideal diode behavior that maximizes power output.

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