Tongwei vs Longi Solar - solar panel manufacturer comparison

Longi Solar is a Chinese manufacturer headquartered in Xi'an, founded in 2000, that has grown into one of the two largest solar module producers in the world. It holds BloombergNEF Tier 1 status and earned a AAA bankability rating in PV Tech's Q1 2026 PV ModuleTech report. In 2025, LONGi shipped approximately 78 GW of modules, ranking first globally alongside Jinko Solar. Tongwei - trading its module business under the TW Solar brand - is a Chengdu-based conglomerate that began in aquaculture before pivoting aggressively into photovoltaics, eventually building one of the largest solar cell manufacturing bases in the world. The company claims annual cell capacity of around 150 GW and module capacity of around 90 GW, shipped roughly 49 GW of modules in 2025, and earned BloombergNEF Tier 1 module manufacturer status in Q1 2025. Between the two brands, Longi carries the stronger institutional footprint and enjoys broader recognition among international project financiers.

Longi's flagship product family is the Hi-MO series, covering both utility-scale ground-mount and residential rooftop applications. The Hi-MO S10 targets large power plants, with confirmed module efficiency up to 25.4% and output in the 665-685 W range. For residential buyers, LONGi launched the EcoLife series built on heterojunction back-contact (HBC) technology, with the Hi-MO X10 delivering up to 510 W per panel. As of 2025, TOPCon accounts for roughly 70% of LONGi's shipments, while BC modules represent a growing and strategically prioritised share. Tongwei's TW Solar lineup spans a similar power range, from around 400 W to approximately 725 W, addressing residential rooftop, commercial, and utility-scale segments. Its TNC platform (N-type Passivated Contact) is offered in TNC 1.0 for high-volume cost-sensitive projects and TNC 2.0 for higher efficiency and bifaciality. Selected TW Solar models have received Top Performer recognition in PVEL scorecards, and the brand benefits strongly from Tongwei's vertical integration across the cell-to-module chain.

For a typical international buyer, Longi Solar is the lower-risk default - it has deeper recognition among project lenders, a longer track record at scale, and a technology roadmap already delivering commercialised HBC modules at industry-leading efficiencies. Tongwei is a credible alternative, particularly for utility-scale buyers comfortable with a newer module brand backed by massive cell manufacturing capacity and strong vertical integration. Both companies reported net losses in 2025 amid industry-wide pricing pressure, so financial due diligence on local distribution partners and warranty coverage is advisable regardless of which brand is selected.

Generated by Claude Sonnet · 2026-05-19