China’s Largest BC Solar Power Plant Connected to the Grid: 500 MW LONGi Hi-MO 9 Project in Inner Mongolia

China’s largest back-contact (BC) solar power plant has officially been connected to the grid. The 500 MW Dalate Banner project in Inner Mongolia is powered entirely by LONGi’s HPBC 2.0-based Hi-MO 9 modules, marking a major milestone in large-scale BC technology deployment.

As part of China’s “desert, Gobi, and arid” renewable energy base strategy, the project demonstrates how advanced back-contact photovoltaic technology can deliver superior performance in extreme climate conditions.

500 MW BC Solar Plant: Project Overview

The Dalate Banner project is currently:

• The largest single BC-technology PV plant in Inner Mongolia

• Fully equipped with LONGi Hi-MO 9 modules based on HPBC 2.0 technology

• Designed for high-irradiation desert environments

Once fully operational, the plant is expected to:

• Generate approximately 852 million kWh annually

• Save 257,600 tons of standard coal per year

• Reduce CO₂ emissions by more than 1.02 million tons annually

These figures highlight the growing role of high-efficiency module technologies in utility-scale decarbonization.

What Is BC (Back-Contact) Solar Technology?

Back-contact (BC) technology relocates all electrical contacts to the rear side of the solar cell, eliminating front-side shading from metal grid lines.

Key advantages include:

• Higher cell efficiency

• Improved light absorption

• Enhanced aesthetic appearance

• Higher power density per square meter

Compared to conventional TOPCon or PERC technologies, BC modules aim to maximize surface utilization and reduce optical losses.

HPBC 2.0 and Hi-MO 9: Advanced Back-Contact Innovation

LONGi’s HPBC 2.0 (Hybrid Passivated Back Contact) platform represents a next-generation BC architecture designed for:

• Higher conversion efficiency

• Improved temperature performance

• Reduced degradation

• Superior long-term reliability

The Hi-MO 9 module series integrates HPBC 2.0 cells into utility-scale configurations optimized for desert solar bases and high-irradiation regions.

Real-World Performance Data: BC vs TOPCon

One of the most significant aspects of the Dalate Banner project is the availability of full-cycle monitoring data.

According to real-world operational measurements:

• BC modules delivered 3.06% higher kWh/kW generation compared to TOPCon

• Achieved 9.7% higher generation per unit area

These results are particularly relevant for:

• Land-constrained utility-scale projects

• High-temperature regions

• Desert and arid climates

• High-irradiance power plants

Higher energy yield per installed capacity directly translates into lower LCOE and improved project economics.

Designed for “Desert, Gobi, and Arid” Energy Bases

China’s large-scale renewable deployment strategy includes solar bases in:

• Desert regions

• Gobi landscapes

• Arid, high-temperature zones

Such environments present challenges including:

• Extreme temperature variations

• Dust accumulation

• High irradiance intensity

• Mechanical stress from wind

BC technology’s higher energy density and improved light capture performance enhance suitability for these demanding installations.

Environmental Impact and Decarbonization Value

With annual generation of approximately 852 million kWh, the Dalate Banner plant contributes significantly to clean energy supply.

Projected environmental benefits:

• Coal savings: 257,600 tons annually

• CO₂ reduction: Over 1.02 million tons per year

For policymakers and institutional investors, such projects reinforce the scalability of advanced photovoltaic technologies in meeting national decarbonization targets.

BC Technology vs TOPCon in Utility-Scale Projects

As the global solar market debates the future of cell architecture, large-scale BC deployment at 500 MW level demonstrates:

• Industrial maturity of BC technology

• Commercial viability beyond laboratory efficiency records

• Competitive energy yield under real-world conditions

While TOPCon continues to dominate shipments globally, BC modules are positioning themselves as a premium high-efficiency alternative, particularly where:

• Land efficiency matters

• Energy yield maximization is critical

• Long-term performance differentiation adds value

Implications for Global Utility Solar Markets

The successful grid connection of a 500 MW BC solar plant signals:

• Increasing diversification of PV technologies

• Growing confidence in back-contact scalability

• Continued efficiency-driven competition in utility markets

As Europe accelerates solar deployment in large-scale energy parks and hybrid PV + storage plants, technologies delivering higher yield per area will gain strategic importance.

Solar&Solar Perspective: Performance Data Drives Technology Adoption

From a Solar&Solar perspective, large-scale monitored data is essential when evaluating new module technologies.

The Dalate Banner project provides:

• Verified comparative performance metrics

• Utility-scale validation of BC architecture

• Evidence-based yield advantage over TOPCon

For developers and EPC contractors, measurable performance differences influence procurement decisions and financial modeling.

Conclusion: BC Technology Enters the Utility Mainstream

The 500 MW Dalate Banner project marks a significant step for back-contact photovoltaic technology. Powered entirely by LONGi’s Hi-MO 9 modules, it demonstrates that BC innovation is no longer confined to pilot projects—it is operating at scale.

With:

• 3.06% higher kWh/kW generation

• 9.7% higher energy per unit area

• 852 million kWh annual output

• Over 1 million tons CO₂ reduction per year

BC technology is increasingly positioned as a high-performance solution for large-scale desert solar bases and future utility deployments worldwide.

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