With our 2026 edition now in development, we are taking a moment to reflect on the insights gained during our inaugural Solarplaza Battery Tour China in 2025. This intensive five-day expedition provided a group of international energy professionals with a direct look at the technologies and manufacturing processes driving the global battery supply chain.
Bridging ambition and production
The primary goal of the tour was to move beyond high-level market data and provide a transparent view of the Chinese battery ecosystem. By facilitating face-to-face meetings and on-site inspections, we helped participants verify quality standards, understand R&D roadmaps, and build the trust necessary for long-term partnerships in product sourcing.
An intensive technical program
The 2025 itinerary was packed with high-level access, covering the full spectrum of the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) value chain. The week was structured around:
- 6 Factory Visits: We explored the production lines of Pencheng Infinite, PotisEdge, Sineng Electric, EVE Energy, Sunwoda, and Great Power, observing the precision of cell manufacturing and container integration.
- 1 Dedicated R&D Center Visit: A deep dive into the future of storage technology at Hithium.
- 1 Specialized Test Lab Visit: Gaining insight into safety and performance certification at TÜV SÜD.
- 3 Corporate HQ Visits: Including an in-depth visit to Midea Group / CLOU Electronics, allowing for strategic discussions with leadership teams.
To ensure the group could fully digest the technical complexity of each site, the tour featured daily expert guidance. Sinovoltaics provided essential debriefs following every visit, offering a critical lens on quality control and manufacturing nuances. The market context was further enriched by prefacing presentations from S&P Global and Moonick Asia, which helped frame the commercial and geopolitical landscape of the Chinese market.
Life on the road: Networking and culture
The journey spanned major industrial hubs, starting in Shanghai and moving through Suzhou, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou. The logistical backbone of the trip, connecting locations via high-speed bus and domestic flights, created a unique environment for the participants to exchange market insights and debrief on factory findings in real-time.
The professional program was balanced with high-impact networking and cultural experiences:
- A Large Networking Gathering: A dedicated evening to connect with local players and industry stakeholders, fostering regional cooperation.
- A Cultural Night & City Tour: An opportunity to experience a mix of charming ancient cities with the vibrancy of China’s tech capitals, and build stronger relationships within the cohort outside of a boardroom setting.
- Shared Meals: Traditional business dinners and group lunches served as the foundation for the community that formed over the course of the week.
A high-level global cohort
The 2025 delegation consisted of senior decision-makers representing a wide cross-section of the industry. The diversity of the group allowed for a rich exchange of perspectives between developers, IPPs, and technical consultants.
Participating Organizations: Notable companies included European energy leaders like CEZ Group, ELIX and Aquila Clean Energy; technical giants like TÜV SÜD; and specialized innovators such as Sinovoltaics Group, MEDHA SERVO DRIVES, and GAZ Energy.
Representative profiles:
- Executive Leadership: CEOs, CTOs, and Managing Directors from firms like AKU-BAT CZ, Energy Power Solutions, and OneSolar.
- Strategic Management: Sales Directors, Product Managers, and Heads of Innovation from Ensights, ComAp control, and IBG Cesko.
- Global Sourcing Experts: Professionals from organizations like Aquila and the Council on Energy, Environment and Water, focused on securing resilient supply chains.
Looking toward 2026
The 2025 tour proved that there is no substitute for being on the ground. As we organize the 2026 edition, we are building on this success to offer even deeper manufacturing transparency and sourcing support. We look forward to once again leading a global delegation to the heart of the industry.
