In recent years, global climate change has caused more frequent extreme weather events. Hailstorms, in particular, have become major threats to the safety of solar plants and the stable income of their owners. Regions affected include Colorado and Texas (USA), Northern Italy, Southern France, Southern China, Central Argentina, and Southeastern Australia.
To address this growing risk, LONGi has developed the Hi-MO 9 Ice-Shield module. This solution is designed to withstand extreme hailstorms while maintaining high power output. It combines advanced materials with structural upgrades to protect PV systems and improve returns.
Extreme Hail Resistance: Built for Harsh Conditions
The Hi-MO 9 features thickened double-glass construction. Its front glass is 60% thicker than standard modules and fully tempered, increasing impact resistance by 4.5 times. During severe hailstorms, it stays strong like steel, unlike conventional glass, which can crack easily.
The frame is made of high-strength 6005-T6 aluminum alloy. Combined with a high-load mounting system, it handles pressure up to +5400/-5400 Pa. The module also passed repeated tests against hailstones 55 mm in diameter traveling at 33.9 m/s—well beyond standard IEC requirements. No cracks or damage were observed after testing.
High Power Output in Extreme Environments
The Ice-Shield module uses LONGi’s HPBC 2.0 technology, achieving up to 24.8% efficiency. This makes it reliable even in extreme conditions. In a 100 MW TOPCon plant, using Hi-MO 9 increases capacity to 106.4 MW without expanding land use. In areas with moderate sunlight, this can generate over $6.5 million in added lifetime revenue.
Thanks to its hot-spot resistance and strict quality control, the Hi-MO 9 offers excellent reliability and low failure rates, ensuring stable plant performance.
Certified by Global Authorities
The Ice-Shield series is certified by RETC, TÜV Rheinland, and TÜV SÜD. It has consistently topped RETC’s High Durability Test rankings. In RETC’s 2025 PV Module Index Report, it earned the “Highest Achievement” award across all 13 core tests, including hail resistance.
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