Shangfang Energy is driving the transition of photovoltaic operation and maintenance (O&M) from the 1.0 to the 2.0 era, reshaping the value of the entire lifecycle of power plants through direct industry operations. Against the backdrop of global climate change and energy transition, the momentum for new energy development is growing stronger. As a vital component of clean energy, the photovoltaic (PV) industry is experiencing unprecedented growth opportunities. Data shows that in 2024, China’s newly installed PV capacity will reach 277.17 GW, setting a new historical record with a year-on-year growth rate of 28%, becoming a significant force in energy transition. By the end of 2024, the cumulative installed capacity of distributed photovoltaic power generation is expected to reach 370 million kW, which is 121 times that of 2013, accounting for 42% of all installed PV power generation.
In the context of rapid new energy development, the industry is shifting from competition based on scale to competition based on quality. The power generation efficiency of plants, control of O&M costs, and stability of asset returns have become core indicators. The operation and maintenance of photovoltaic power plants are not only technical issues but also critical for asset management. Statistics indicate that efficient O&M can increase power generation by 5%-10%. However, the current O&M market often prioritizes construction over maintenance, leading to losses in generation efficiency and shortened equipment lifespans.
Shangfang Energy: Driving Transformation and Upgrade of the Photovoltaic O&M Industry through Innovation
In the past decade, the construction scale of the photovoltaic industry has rapidly expanded, and the “rush to install” trend has gradually highlighted O&M issues, becoming a bottleneck limiting the healthy development of the industry. The common practice of subcontracting among agents has resulted in low efficiency and challenges in resolving issues fundamentally. The industry lacks unified personnel qualification certifications and standards, resulting in a wide disparity in O&M personnel expertise, with some lacking professional knowledge and practical experience, making it difficult to respond to and resolve complex problems quickly. Traditional O&M methods are inefficient and pose safety risks, potentially causing component damage and reduced power generation efficiency. These problems not only affect the generation capacity and revenue of the power plants but also restrict the sustainable development of the photovoltaic industry.
If we consider the current O&M practices as the 1.0 era, then enhancing the intelligence, automation, and standardization of power plants will be significant markers of the 2.0 era of O&M. Addressing industry pain points, Shangfang Energy leverages its strong technological innovation capabilities and professional O&M strengths to provide robust support for the transformation and upgrade of the photovoltaic O&M sector. The company has independently developed a smart O&M platform, leading the photovoltaic O&M industry toward intelligence, efficiency, and specialization.
The Shangfang Energy Smart O&M Platform deeply integrates big data algorithms to construct a digital twin system, achieving visual management and control of power plant assets throughout their lifecycle. By deploying numerous sensors and monitoring devices within photovoltaic power plants, real-time operational data is collected, including power generation, component temperatures, irradiance, and equipment operating status. This data is transmitted to the Shangfang Energy Smart O&M Platform, where it is analyzed using big data algorithms to promptly identify potential issues and anomalies in plant operations, enabling O&M personnel to quickly grasp the actual operational status of the plants and make informed decisions.
As the only direct O&M service provider in the industry, Shangfang Energy genuinely engages in O&M without subcontracting, adhering to the “Three Truths of Shangfang” principle to build a leading O&M service system. The company offers asset management-style O&M solutions aimed at maximizing the value of power plant assets and ensuring stable customer returns. Data analysis suggests that choosing Shangfang Energy’s O&M services can increase power generation by at least 3% and enhance owner revenues by at least 3%.
“True Investment”—Leveraging a completely self-developed intelligent asset management platform supported by multidimensional technologies such as big data and AIoT for efficient O&M. Real-time data analysis and remote positioning deliver precise insights to each power plant, allowing for personalized O&M strategies based on each plant’s geographical location, characteristics, and needs. The direct O&M team comprises over 100 engineers and technicians with professional qualifications and industry certifications, ensuring that online alerts and offline responses are executed effectively, thus enhancing O&M efficiency and accuracy while providing comprehensive O&M services for power plants.
“True Personnel”—Shangfang Energy has established a comprehensive service network covering 500 counties across 16 provinces, implementing a unique three-tier response mechanism of “2-hour response – 24-hour on-site arrival – 48-hour resolution.” Equipped with town-level direct teams and expert diagnostic systems, the company ensures that operational responses have no blind spots. Regardless of the plant’s location, Shangfang Energy’s customer service will respond within 2 hours and arrange for the nearest town-level direct team to arrive on-site within 24 hours for resolution, while also maintaining a long-term feedback tracking system to ensure thorough service and safeguard customer revenues.
“True Action”—With over a decade of accumulated O&M experience managing 10 GW+ of power plants, Shangfang Energy has established the industry’s only integrated R&D and O&M model. The R&D and O&M teams work closely to address issues and needs identified during O&M, ensuring timely technological development and innovation, and applying R&D outcomes to actual O&M processes to continuously enhance service quality and standards. By constructing its own warehousing, the company ensures next-day delivery of spare parts, significantly reducing repair times.
Shangfang Energy, with its strong capabilities and a backing of 40 years of state-owned enterprise credibility, positions itself as a comprehensive asset development and management platform for clean energy (DEPCO). The group is located in Zhuhai’s Hengqin area, with its headquarters in Beijing. Since its inception, Shangfang Energy has received joint investments from Zhuhai Huafa Group and top international investment institutions, providing substantial financial support and solid credibility for its development. Established in 1980, Zhuhai Huafa Group is the largest comprehensive state-owned enterprise in Zhuhai, enjoying a renowned reputation nationwide and leading the way in the new energy sector, consistently ranking among China’s top 500 enterprises. Its abundant resources and strong capabilities provide significant support for Shangfang Energy in policy backing and industry resource integration. The international top investment institution, recognized as a prominent private equity investment entity, manages assets totaling around 200 billion yuan. Their investment in Shangfang Energy reflects a strong recognition and confidence in the company’s growth prospects.
Driven by robust forces of technological innovation and O&M services, Shangfang Energy has forged its unique and exceptional O&M capabilities, becoming a pillar of the transformation and upgrade of the photovoltaic O&M industry. Shangfang Energy consistently adheres to the philosophy of continuous innovation, diligently enhancing the quality and efficiency of O&M services, and leading the photovoltaic O&M industry towards stable advancement at higher dimensions and deeper levels, thereby laying a solid foundation for the thriving development of the photovoltaic industry.
