Solar panels that handle shade: how the LONGi Hi-MO X10 works
LONGi's new panel arrives at EcoVolt in the coming weeks. Here's what makes it different and which roofs it suits best.
Last weekend we joined the LONGi team at the China trade fair in Costa Rica. We got a close look at the X10 and talked with installers, companies and people who came by to ask about technology, warranties and performance. As LONGi partners, our commitment is to bring their panels to Costa Rica along with the system design, installation and local support you need.
Almost no roof in Costa Rica is free of shade all day. A neighbor's tree, a water tank, an antenna or a taller wall covers part of the panels for a few hours, and that matters more than it seems.
Why shade has such a big impact
In a solar panel, the cells work in a chain. When one gets covered, it stops producing and holds back the rest, like a garden hose with a kink in one spot that drops the pressure along the whole line. That's why, on many panels, shading a small area is enough to lose far more production than you'd expect.
What's different about the Hi-MO X10
The X10 uses back-contact cells, which LONGi calls HPBC 2.0. All the connections run along the back of the cell, so the side facing the sun stays clear and makes better use of the light. According to LONGi, the panel reaches up to 24.8% efficiency.
The biggest difference shows up in the shade. When a cell is covered, the current finds a path around the dark area instead of stopping the whole chain, and the loss stays in the shaded part.
In tests published by LONGi, with one cell half covered, the X10 lost about 10% of its power, while a conventional TOPCon panel lost more than 36%. TÜV Rheinland, an independent lab, also gave it an A+ rating for performance in shade.
That also helps with hot spots, the areas of a panel that overheat when they're in the shade. Because it heats up less, the panel takes less wear over the years.
Other advantages for our climate
Heat: it loses little power as temperatures rise, which you'll appreciate in Guanacaste, Puntarenas or on any metal roof at midday.
Dust: the frame is designed so rain washes dust away instead of letting it build up along the edge of the panel.
Lifespan: LONGi guarantees low degradation for 30 years, so the panel keeps producing well for a long time.
Who is it for?
Homes and businesses with partial shade on the roof, tight roofs where every panel has to perform at its best, and companies that want to get the most out of every square meter.
Availability
The Hi-MO X10 arrives at EcoVolt in the coming weeks. If you need panels sooner, ask us about the LONGi models we already have in stock.
Want to know if the X10 is right for your roof? Message us on WhatsApp at +506 7067 3715. We'll review your energy use and the shade on your roof, and tell you which system makes sense for you.
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