In 1986, Zhenguo Li, Baoshen Zhong, and other young students entered Lanzhou University in northwest China. In front of the statue of the president Longji Jiang, a symbol of education and scientific progress, attend the induction ceremony and are struck by his story of dedication to the country's development. It is there that the promise destined to change their lives is born: «In the future, the company will be called LONGi». The name, chosen in homage to Longji Jiang, embodies respect for ancestors, the desire to inherit a culture that believes in knowledge, and the conviction that science can improve human existence. LONGi has therefore been, from its inception, a project that intertwines memory, education, and responsibility toward society.
The story of LONGI Solar, from idea to solar giant: LONGI's mission
In the following years, the history of LONGI Solar began to take strong roots and that dream transformed into a company that would become one of the global leaders in photovoltaics, with the family of modules Hi-MO among its flagship products. The stated goal is clear: to develop technologies that make clean energy accessible, reliable, and the foundation for a "better life" for people. LONGi Solar's culture remains rooted in its roots: respect for its masters, faith in scientific and structural progress, and a focus on environmental sustainability. It's no surprise, then, that the energy transition and the fight against climate change have become the natural foundation upon which the company builds its public and industrial identity.
What is the “Zero-Carbon Life Plan for Pandas” program?
During the conference COP28 of 2023, LONGI Solar announces the program “Zero‑Carbon Life Plan for Pandas”, an initiative that combines advanced solar technology and wildlife conservation. The plan includes the donation of a distributed photovoltaic power plant at the Qinling Giant Panda Conservation and Breeding Research Base Of Foping, in Shaanxi province.Thanks to this donation, the base can rely on green energy for daily operations, significantly reducing the carbon emissions associated with operating the facility. The same infrastructure also powers the wildlife monitoring equipment in the protected area, thanks to photovoltaic products and off-grid technologies which guarantee stable power supply even in the most remote areas of the forest.
LONGI Solar Adopts Qinling Panda, Hi-Mo: The Story
The adoption of the giant panda was born within this framework. Hi-Mo, a Qinling panda born on July 10, 2019 and currently hosted at the Foping Giant Panda Breeding Base. The adoption was made official during COP28, in the presence of LONGi representatives such as the president of the Distributed Business Group, Jiang Dongyu. The choice of the name is not accidental: Hi‑Mo directly recalls the company's flagship module series, creating an immediate link between the brand and the animal that symbolizes Chinese biodiversity. The adoption is permanent and is part of a public utility initiative. LONGi does not aim for direct financial return, does not disclose donation costs, and focuses its communication on the value social and environmental of the project.
Qinling Panda: A Treasure Different from the Sichuan Pandas
Qinling pandas, like Hi-Mo, have different physical characteristics than the more well-known Sichuan pandas. Their head is rounder, with an almost feline appearance. The skull, in fact, is slightly smaller, the teeth larger, the fur darker and the chest tends to be a pale brown. dark brown. Sichuan pandas, on the other hand, have a more elongated head, a larger skull, smaller teeth, and a sharper color contrast with their black chest and lighter coat.These morphological differences, also linked to the geographical isolation of the Qinling Mountains, make the local population particularly valuable in terms of biodiversity and more vulnerable to environmental changes. Protecting the Qinling pandas therefore means preserving a unique variant within the species Ailuropoda melanoleuca.
The Hi-Mo panda adopted by LONGI Solar: an adoption without standards, but with a vision
In China there is no one unified national standard that uniformly regulates corporate adoptions of pandas. These are primarily voluntary initiatives, part of corporate social responsibility and sustainable development programs. In the case of Hi-Mo, LONGI primarily obtains the naming rights and the possibility of conducting joint communication and promotional activities with the Foping base. There are no specific obligations beyond the support already guaranteed by the photovoltaic project and lifetime adoption. The core of the operation remains habitat protection and support for research and conservation activities.
Solar energy at the service of conservation
Instead of insisting on numbers, LONGI Solar focuses on the concept of “green value” that the photovoltaic system brings to the Foping base. The solar energy provided allows for:
- Cover part of the facility's daily energy needs with renewable electricity, reducing CO₂ emissions.
- Ensure a stable supply of monitoring systems, cameras, and forestry control equipment, which are essential for tracking panda movements and maintaining ecosystem health.
In this way, LONGI's contribution is not only symbolic, but operational. Clean energy becomes a concrete tool for improving management and research in one of the key areas for the survival of the Qinling giant panda.
From the memory of an educator to the future of biodiversity
The story of LONGI ideally closes a circle. A company born out of respect for a great university educator, Longji Jiang, transforms its scientific mission into concrete action for the Planet. The adoption of the Hi-Mo panda and the “Zero‑Carbon Life Plan for Pandas” demonstrate how solar technology can become an ally of biodiversity, not only by replacing fossil fuels, but by directly supporting conservation programs.For those interested in the environment, energy, or simply panda lovers, the LONGI–Hi-Mo case represents an example of how private initiative can complement public policies and research centers. A strong and clear message: a low-emissions future also depends on companies' ability to transform their values into real, measurable projects capable of telling a new story between humans, technology, and nature.