On the floor at SNEC 2026 in Shanghai, solar module manufacturers — large and small — displayed 25% efficiency modules as their flagship products, with 24% modules becoming the mainstream offering and 23% units filling in the more cost effective spots.
On the floor at SNEC 2026 in Shanghai, the world’s largest solar and energy storage trade show, one trend is clear: standard silicon module efficiencies continue to rise. Modules with 25% efficiency are now commonplace, while 23% has effectively become the floor and 24% the mainstream product level.
Two years ago, at Intersolar Munich, Aiko Solar introduced what was then the market’s first 25% solar module. At this year’s SNEC, the company presented a 25.6% module and indicated further efficiency gains ahead.
Nearby, JinkoSolar showcased several high-efficiency products. Among them was a 25.17% “AIDC” module, a data-center-focused panel based on the Tiger Neo 3.0 platform launched at SNEC. Canadian Solar, exhibiting nearby, displayed a 25.2% module. One hall over, Lingi presented a 25.5% product.
The focus on efficiency is significant because it effectively reduces the cost contribution of all other system components. For example, if a single module produces twice the energy output, the value of labor is effectively doubled, as installation work delivers twice the lifetime energy per installed unit.
