In a recent presentation at a gathering in Munich on March 20, 2025, Dr. David Zhao, Senior Vice President of Sungrow, outlined ten major technological trends set to reshape the solar and energy storage industry. His insights emphasized the importance of these innovations in driving the energy transition and addressing sustainable economic development amid a rapidly changing power sector.
Despite the significant growth in photovoltaics (PV) installations globally, Dr. Zhao pointed out that the evolving power infrastructure today confronts five significant challenges: supply chain security, clean energy consumption, power system stability, resilience to load variability, and effective cost management. These hurdles underline the need for cutting-edge technological solutions, particularly as the energy storage industry undergoes rapid expansion.
Among Dr. Zhao's key trends, the first highlighted is the goal of achieving high density and high efficiency in energy systems. With the declining costs and increasing localization of third-generation wide-bandgap semiconductors, inverters are progressively incorporating Silicon Carbide (SiC) and Gallium Nitride (GaN) devices. With advanced control algorithms and improved thermal packaging technologies, these enhancements promise a substantial boost in the power density and efficiency of devices. Notably, in 2021, Sungrow made strides in this area by introducing the 1500V string inverter SG350HX, which marked a pioneering move by adopting 2000V SiC devices.
Furthermore, Dr. Zhao discussed the development of high-voltage and high-power systems. In recent developments, inverter single-unit power has seen significant improvements roughly every 2-3 years, pushing DC voltage towards 2000V. Sungrow achieved a significant reduction in Balance of System (BOS) costs with the deployment of the world’s first 2000V DC PV system located in China’s Shaanxi province, cutting costs by over 0.04 yuan (approximately USD 0.55) per watt compared to traditional 1500V systems. This benchmark demonstrates how technological advancements can lead to tangible economic benefits in the industry.
As renewable energy sources increasingly penetrate the grid, the importance of grid-forming technologies grows. Sungrow has been at the forefront of research in this area since 2006, developing capabilities essential for creating a flexible and reliable power system. These include advanced inertia support, oscillation suppression, and rapid transition capabilities between grid-connected and off-grid modes.
The integration of digitalization and artificial intelligence (AI) is also revolutionizing PV plant operations. Dr. Zhao pointed out that Sungrow has implemented sophisticated AI-driven battery management systems, which continually assess and analyze battery cell conditions—such as temperature, current, and voltage. This improvement leads to timely health assessments and prevention of incidents like thermal runaway, enhancing both safety and operational efficiency in PV installations.
Additionally, a notable trend is the shift towards secure and reliable systems with a projected 30-year design lifespan becoming the new industry standard for future inverters. Dr. Zhao discussed various advanced design features that enhance system security and reliability, including modular designs and active fault detection mechanisms. To uphold safety standards, Sungrow invested significantly in real-world energy storage system burn tests to solidify the safety of its PowerTitan series liquid-cooled energy storage system.
Topology innovation is another key area pushing the boundaries of power conversion efficiency. In 2018, Sungrow led research in developing the world’s first 6MW 35kV Solid State Transformer (SST) based PV inverter, achieving an impressive overall maximum efficiency of 98.5%. Such innovations represent the continual evolution and application of novel materials and techniques across the solar energy landscape.
To navigate diverse global scenarios and grid conditions, system-level modeling and simulation techniques become critical. They enhance performance predictions for solar, wind, and storage systems in various operational states, allowing for reduced development cycles and costs.
Moreover, virtual power plants (VPPs) utilize modern internet technologies to marshal distributed resources—PV, energy storage, and loads—into cohesive entities for efficient grid dispatch. VPPs significantly reduce grid congestion while optimizing energy consumption and promoting cleaner energy use.
Dr. Zhao also addressed the integrated management of source-grid-load-storage-carbon systems. This innovative approach, offering Project examples, aims at promoting large-scale clean energy integration while achieving carbon reduction. He cited Sungrow’s involvement in a major wind-PV-storage-hydrogen microgrid project in Saudi Arabia, a flagship example of these integrative efforts.
Finally, with the escalating global demand for renewable energy sources, the need for green hydrogen production is more pressing than ever. Over time, technologies in renewable energy-based electrolysis will enable easier storage and transport options like ammonia and methanol. This decoupling of power generation from hydrogen production presents significant opportunities for large-scale projects.
In closing, Dr. Zhao noted, "Sungrow embeds technological innovation in our DNA. We commit to tackle the difficulties and pursue a long-term sustainable future with industry partners and peers." This commitment illustrates Sungrow’s dedication to sustainability through advanced technology, aiming for ongoing leadership in the energy transition.
As of December 2024, Sungrow has successfully installed an impressive 740 GW of power electronic converters worldwide, further solidifying its position as a leader in renewable energy technology.
