Amid high energy prices in Europe, some Chinese companies are actively exploring the integration of solar technology into household appliances to better meet consumers' demand for green living.
MUNICH, Germany, May 10 (Xinhua) -- The 2025 Intersolar Europe exhibition, one of the world's most influential events in the photovoltaic (PV) industry, concluded here on Friday after a three-day run. Chinese companies as major highlights of the event won widespread acclaim for their cutting-edge products and system integration capabilities.
The exhibition hosted over 2,700 companies from more than 50 countries and regions, including around 850 from China. These Chinese exhibitors showcased a wide array of innovations ranging from high-efficiency PV modules to energy storage systems, EV charging infrastructure, and integrated energy solutions.
Markus Elsaesser, founder and CEO of Solar Promotion GmbH, the event's organizer, said that Chinese companies were "not only key product suppliers but also supplying very cost-effective solutions so that we can advance with the decarbonization of Europe."
According to a report entitled the Global Market Outlook for Solar Power 2025-2029, released during the event by SolarPower Europe, China accounted for roughly half of both the world's new solar capacity additions and cumulative installations in 2024. The report hailed China's contributions to global decarbonization, noting that its sustained investments have accelerated solar technology advancements worldwide.
"The commitment of China to Europe is actually pretty strong at the moment, really providing the necessary models that we have to actually increase installation," said Christophe Lits, senior market analyst at SolarPower Europe, in an interview with Xinhua.
He noted that China, as the world's largest solar application market, plays a vital role in Europe's energy transition not only by supplying quality products but also through local production and technology partnerships, fostering strong Europe-China industrial ties.
Solar technology giant LONGi Green Energy Technology Co., Ltd. showcased a new solar panel that won its top technology award during the event. The panel was recognized for maintaining high energy conversion efficiency even in low-light conditions such as cloudy days, and for improved fire safety through structural innovations.
"The European market is highly receptive to new PV technologies. We are encouraged to increase our R&D investment continuously," said Liu Yuxi, president of the global marketing center at LONGi Green Energy. He expected opportunities for China-Europe cooperation to continue to expand as renewables take up a growing share of Europe's energy mix.
Amid high energy prices in Europe, some Chinese companies are actively exploring the integration of solar technology into household appliances to better meet consumers' demand for green living.
Visitors to the event were attracted to a model home outfitted with a fully integrated green energy system showcased by TCL, a global technology company headquartered in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong, neighboring Hong Kong. The setup combines rooftop solar panels with indoor inverters and storage units to smartly distribute power to heat pumps, EV chargers, and other home applications.
The integrated household energy system has been rolled out in some residential projects in Europe, according to Zhang Shengyang, General Manager of TCL SunPower Global, who is experienced in the home appliances business. He saw home energy solutions as a potential growth engine in the European market.
Still reeling from the massive blackout that hit Spain and Portugal on April 28, attendees turned their focus to energy storage -- one of the exhibition's standout themes that drew heavy interest and high footfall.
Major Chinese players such as CATL, Huawei, and Trina Solar showcased their latest solutions. CATL debuted a new container-sized modular storage unit capable of charging about 150 electric vehicles or powering an average German household for six years.
"As the share of weather-dependent renewables rises, so does the need for flexible energy storage," said Ji Yu, senior director of project management of ESS CATL. He said that Chinese storage firms are rapidly integrating into local markets and forging diverse partnerships. ■
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