China’s Longi Group will now bring its cell and module operation under its brand. The move reflects that Longi now supplies the entire monocrystalline production chain, from mono ingots right through to cells and modules. The move comes as a major push towards monocrystalline products continues to take a hold in the crystalline silicon PV sector.

“As the world’s largest monocrystalline wafer manufacturer, Longi Group has established a leading market position and high level of brand recognition in the global monocrystalline wafer markets,” said Longi Group President Li Zhenguo. “The renaming of the Lerri Solar brand consisting of our solar cell and module businesses as Longi Solar highlights Longi Group’s determination and confidence in expanding its solar cell and module businesses in overseas markets.”

Last week Longi-Lerri solar achieved tier-one status, as characterized by Bloomberg New Energy Finance. The move reflects Longi’s successful expansion into module production and that its products are now seen as bankable by a range of players in the finance and project development sector.

Alongside the re-badging of its cell and module business, Longi will also display its 305W, 60-cell PERC module at PV Expo. 300W modules are currently a premium product, achieving strong market demand and high prices on the market.

Monocrystalline wafers are well suited to PERC applications, requiring fewer process upgrades than multicrystalline PERC. Mono PERC also does not exhibit the light (and temperature) induced degradation (LID), that has plagued some multi PERC producers.

Analysts tip mono to increase its market share over multi to between 35 – 37% in 2017, up around three percentage points year-on-year.