The 15th China International Clean Energy Expo is being held from March 26 to 28 at the National Convention Center in Beijing. During this event, the China Photovoltaic Industry Association is hosting the “2025 Photovoltaic Market Development Forum,” which brings together expert representatives from research institutions, design institutes, investors, and equipment manufacturers to discuss and analyze trends in large-scale domestic projects, distributed photovoltaic market development, and the participation of photovoltaics in electricity market mechanisms.
Liu Yiyang, Executive Secretary-General of the China Photovoltaic Industry Association, stated that in recent years, China’s photovoltaic industry has maintained rapid growth. However, the problem of “involuntary” fierce competition within the industry has not yet been fundamentally resolved. The association continues to actively collaborate with regulatory authorities to promote high-quality industry development. In terms of policy, the release of the notice titled “On Deepening the Market-Oriented Reform of New Energy Electricity Prices to Promote High-Quality Development of New Energy” (Document No. 136) and the latest revision of the “Management Measures for the Development and Construction of Distributed Photovoltaic Projects” marks the end of the “fixed electricity price” era for new energy. This officially initiates a new phase in which photovoltaic power generation fully enters the market-oriented electricity pricing system, accelerating the construction of a unified national electricity market. Currently, without considering system balancing, photovoltaic energy has become the cheapest source of new electricity generation, with low marginal operating costs. Future integration with storage technologies can maintain competitiveness with traditional energy sources.
Long Wangcheng from the Clean Energy Research Institute of the Electric Power Planning and Design Institute believes that the green and low-carbon development of industrial parks has become an essential trend. Policies promoting green direct connections and zero-carbon parks continue to be implemented. High-proportion green energy parks offer notable advantages including supply assurance, cost reduction, carbon reduction, and increased green electricity certification, drawing significant attention.
Regarding the changes and opportunities in the domestic distributed photovoltaic market under the new policies, Wang Shujuan, founder of Zhihui Photovoltaic, noted that the scale requirements and grid connection methods are changing, and access conditions will improve. Projects will need to have the “four capabilities” of being observable, measurable, adjustable, and controllable. Mechanism prices will replace the benchmark coal power price. Looking ahead, she emphasized the need to focus on new models such as “source-grid-load-storage” and “wall-separated electricity sales.” Energy-saving and carbon reduction have become key drivers for enterprises to develop distributed photovoltaics, aligning distributed photovoltaic growth with energy transition through the “light-storage-charge” model. Companies with strong comprehensive capabilities are expected to stand out.
Zhang Yingbin, head of strategy, product, and market at Trina Solar, introduced the company’s solution for extreme weather conditions, titled “Facing Extremes: Trina Solar’s Extreme Climate Solutions.” He explained that since 2019, Trina Solar has developed components tailored to various temperature and humidity environments, with customized packaging designs ensuring efficient and reliable operation. This solution utilizes a dual-core drive of “extreme-proof components + smart tracking” and has achieved prefabrication, direct use on-site, and rapid installation, with plans for mass production and a scalable capacity exceeding 5GW, adaptable to market demands.
Zhang Min, general manager of large customer solutions at Sungrow Power Supply Co., believes that the characteristics of regional power grids and the level of new energy development vary significantly. The differing penetration rates of renewable energy and application scenarios create diverse requirements for grid connection technologies, leading to global calls for grid connection to advance industry development.
In terms of new energy storage participation in electricity market mechanisms, Zheng Hua, an associate professor at North China Electric Power University, asserted that under the current dual-driven context of electricity markets and carbon neutrality goals, it is essential to achieve “green” through market mechanisms. New models and business formats arising from innovative energy storage will be a necessary trend, with future industry focus on the differentiated needs of niche markets and the accumulation of operational technology.
Tang Yang, chief expert in photovoltaic power generation at the State Energy Group, analyzed the current state of technological innovation and industrial development in offshore photovoltaics. He noted that fixed offshore photovoltaics have achieved construction scales exceeding one million kilowatts; however, economic viability is currently limited to nearshore areas. Floating offshore photovoltaic technology is still maturing and faces significant technical challenges. The offshore photovoltaic industry in China remains in its infancy, with urgent needs to enhance system efficiency and safety in marine environments and to improve the reliability of key components. Future development of the offshore photovoltaic industry will rely on fundamental theory and will need to address key scientific and technical issues through modular design, energy efficiency testing, monitoring technology, simulation technology, and standardized research.
