Longi Solar has supplied 54.1 MW of Hi-MO 9 back contact modules for the CEF Chișineu-Criș solar park in Arad County, Romania. Developed for NEPI Rockcastle, a subsidiary of Solpower Energy, and implemented by EPC partner Enevo Group, the project supports the decarbonisation of NEPI Rockcastle’s real estate portfolio and highlights the growing role of back contact technology in large-scale renewable energy deployment.
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The facility in Chișineu-Criș, Arad County, comprises 84,000 Hi-MO 9 modules that will help maximise the energy autonomy of NEPI Rockcastle’s retail sites in Romania. The project has been fully owned by NEPI Rockcastle, a leading developer and operator of shopping centres in Central and Eastern Europe, since 2024. Construction began in January 2025, with grid connection planned for the fourth quarter of the year. The project demonstrates the scalability of back contact technology. With a module efficiency of 24.8% and a temperature coefficient of –0.26%/°C, the Hi-MO 9 ensures strong performance in Romania’s continental climate.
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Given Romania’s grid constraints and space efficiency requirements, the Hi-MO 9’s back contact architecture reduces shading losses and delivers an 8% higher yield compared to TopCon products, according to Longi. Its resistance to PID and LID ensures 30 years of performance stability, which will be crucial for NEPI Rockcastle’s long-term asset strategy, while helping to reduce maintenance costs for the 54.1 MW solar park.
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In addition to environmental benefits, the project will create over 100 local jobs, primarily through regional contractors, providing a boost to the local economy. “NEPI Rockcastle’s green energy programme is progressing through three key phases, reflecting our long-term commitment to sustainability and decarbonisation. We are investing €110 million in new photovoltaic projects, including solar panel installations on 23 properties in Central and Eastern Europe, as well as new developments in Romania with a total capacity of 159 MW. This will allow us to generate 6% of our portfolio’s electricity needs and reach our target of 84% renewable electricity,” said Andrei Radu, Group Development Director at NEPI Rockcastle. (hcn)
