SHEIN, a global leader in online fashion and lifestyle retail, has made significant strides in promoting its “rooftop photovoltaic” project across its self-operated locations and supplier factories. In 2024, the total photovoltaic power generated through domestic warehousing parks and supplier factories surpassed 65 million kilowatt-hours, marking a 150% increase compared to the previous year. This amount of energy is equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of over 10,000 average households and has resulted in a carbon reduction of more than 35,000 tons.
These “power-generating rooftops” symbolize SHEIN’s leadership in transforming the fashion industry, quietly reshaping the industrial ecosystem. Having invested in the Guangzhou manufacturing hub for many years, SHEIN serves consumers in over 150 countries and regions globally. The comprehensive empowerment of its suppliers is driving digitalization, lean operations, and green upgrades throughout the supply chain.
The “rooftop photovoltaic” systems convert solar energy into electricity, facilitating the use of sunlight for power generation. This innovative approach to green energy utilization not only ensures high energy quality but also allows for nearby electricity supply, mitigating losses associated with long-distance transmission. Furthermore, it achieves zero pollution emissions.
As a key hub in the global supply chain, SHEIN’s warehousing and logistics parks connect products with consumers worldwide and play a crucial role in the company’s carbon reduction efforts. Currently, the use of green electricity in SHEIN’s self-operated locations, including warehousing and logistics parks, has approached 80% and continues to rise. All new smart supply chain bases under construction will be equipped with rooftop photovoltaic systems.
Alongside the installation of rooftop photovoltaics at its own facilities, SHEIN actively encourages suppliers to adopt renewable energy sources. The company tailors exclusive photovoltaic installation solutions for its suppliers and offers financial incentives. By the end of 2024, the number of SHEIN supplier factories utilizing solar photovoltaic systems had increased by approximately 180%.
One representative supplier, Ruan Fei, shared, “Our factory invested in nearly 1,000 square meters of rooftop photovoltaics in 2023, allowing us to save over 10,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity monthly. Based on local electricity prices, this results in a net savings of more than 10,000 yuan each month.” He believes that installing rooftop photovoltaics not only reduces operational costs but also promotes energy conservation and environmental protection in the industry.
In addition to the rooftop photovoltaic initiative, SHEIN has collaborated with various domestic and international organizations and experts to develop a range of sustainable development and energy-saving projects for its suppliers. These include initiatives like clean design, supplier energy efficiency leadership, and the integration of standardized factory energy-saving practices.
In the “Energy Efficiency Leader” program, factories participating in Ruan Fei’s initiative have effectively reduced energy consumption of water, electricity, and gas through custom solutions such as regular valve replacements in steam pipelines, the use of energy-saving LED lighting, water-saving nozzles, and optimizing air compressor pressure settings.
