Chinese manufacturer Longi has unveiled a containerized photovoltaic station designed to supply renewable electricity to off-grid industrial facilities at the Smarte E event in Munich, German, this week.
The Longi Block system integrates the mounting structure, modules and inverter into a single container, enabling the deployment of a solar plant within a few hours and without the need for permanent foundations, the company said. The solution targets off-grid applications or scenarios requiring rapid deployment, such as mining operations, military bases, remote industrial parks, temporary construction sites or any facility where grid connection is unfeasible or subject to lengthy administrative procedures.
Longi highlights the system’s deployable mechanical architecture as a key differentiator, noting that a six-person crew can complete installation using only the mechanisms built into the container, without requiring specialised tools.
The process involves removing locking pins and activating an automated opening sequence with a single button. The 20HC container model deploys in approximately three hours, while the 40HQP version requires around four hours. The hinges and opening mechanisms are designed to withstand one full opening-and-closing cycle per month over a 15-year service life.
To ensure proper system operation, the site must meet specific levelling requirements. The height difference between three consecutive modules must not exceed 3 cm, while the total elevation variation across the installation must remain below 30 cm.
The system incorporates the manufacturer’s Hi-MO X10 photovoltaic modules and delivers up to 239.2 kW of installed capacity. The 20HC version integrates 184 single-glass monocrystalline modules, providing an installed capacity of 119.6 kW, while the 40HQP version contains 368 modules, increasing total capacity to 239.2 kW.
Each module delivers a maximum power output of 650 W with a conversion efficiency of 24.1%. For the European market, Longi supplies the system factory-fitted with GoodWe GT Series string inverters or equivalent models tailored to regional requirements. According to the company, full pre-integration prior to export allows the system to benefit from the tax regime applicable to equipment manufactured entirely in China.
The system is engineered for industrial use in demanding weather conditions. The photovoltaic modules feature an IP68 protection rating, the inverter is rated IP66, and the metal container provides IP54 protection. During operation, the 20HC version withstands wind speeds of up to 21 m/s, while the container structure itself can resist gusts of up to 34 m/s.
For installations in more exposed locations, Longi offers optional ground anchors and structural reinforcements that increase wind resistance up to 56 m/s.
The company also provided economic estimates for selected European markets. According to Longi, the system achieves a levelizsed cost of electricity (LCOE) of $0.0514/kWh in Poland (€0.045) and $0.0470/kWh in Ukraine (€0.0413).
The mobile station comes with a two-year warranty, while the Hi-MO X10 modules are covered by a 15-year product warranty and a 30-year linear power output warranty.
