China’s Massive Solar Market in Transition

The smarter E Podcast Episode 243 | November 13, 2025 | Language: English

Where China goes, so goes the global energy transition. With its dominance across solar and energy storage supply chains, China’s every policy shift ripples through global clean tech markets.

In 2025, that landscape is shifting fast: after nearly 200 GW of new solar capacity added early in the year, installations have slowed as the industry adapts to new policies. Meanwhile, manufacturers are facing overcapacity and hunting for new export markets.

About The smarter E Podcast

The smarter E podcast is all about the current trends and developments in a renewable, decentralized and digital energy industry. Our host welcomes and interviews personalities who shape our industry and drive developments forward. A new episode is published bi-weekly on Thursdays.

Frank Haugwitz, Senior Analyst at Apricum

Frank Haugwitz is a Senior Analyst with Berlin-based consultancy, Apricum. He first worked in China in 2002 with the German development agency, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). In 2012 he founded the Asia Europe Clean Energy (Solar) Advisory. He served as the Director of the Asian Photovoltaic Industry Association from 2011 to 2021.

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Further Content
Renate Egan, Executive Director of ACAP
What’s Next in PV Cell and Module Tech

The smarter E Podcast Episode 244 | Language: English

November 27, 2025

UNSW and ACAP drive advances in solar tech. Prof. Renate Egan shares new PV research and how innovation will shape the industry in 2026.

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The smarter E Europe Conferences 2025 | Conference Program

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Off-grid solar systems are often the least expensive option for rural electrification. Solar home systems can power individual households, while mini-grids can supply entire villages. Each comes with its own advantages, disadvantages, and challenges. The aim of this session is to explore challenges as well as success stories. It takes well-functioning components such as battery systems, charge management and inverters to make projects successful. Proper system sizing, maintenance and repair management, as well as a robust financial concept are also necessary. If one of these elements is missing, the electrification will not be sustainable. This session will focus on the aspects mentioned above. The speakers will present successful and unsuccessful approaches and discuss what can be learned from them.

The smarter E Europe Conferences 2025
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The smarter E Europe Conferences 2025 | Conference Program

premium account

Off-grid solar systems are often the least expensive option for rural electrification. Solar home systems can power individual households, while mini-grids can supply entire villages. Each comes with its own advantages, disadvantages, and challenges. The aim of this session is to explore challenges as well as success stories. It takes well-functioning components such as battery systems, charge management and inverters to make projects successful. Proper system sizing, maintenance and repair management, as well as a robust financial concept are also necessary. If one of these elements is missing, the electrification will not be sustainable. This session will focus on the aspects mentioned above. The speakers will present successful and unsuccessful approaches and discuss what can be learned from them.

The smarter E Europe Conferences 2025
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The smarter E Europe Conferences 2025 | Conference Program

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This session explores how digitalization is revolutionizing off-grid energy projects, enabling scalability and efficiency in underserved areas. Experts will discuss cutting-edge solutions based on the use and application of digital tools to support planning, development, and operations ultimately enhancing affordability. Attendees will gain insights into leveraging digital tools for optimized planning and project management, customer engagement, monitoring, and sustainable growth. Real-world case studies will highlight successful implementations, showcasing how technology bridges the gap between innovation and impact in energy access.

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The smarter E Europe Conferences 2025 | Conference Program

premium account

This session explores how digitalization is revolutionizing off-grid energy projects, enabling scalability and efficiency in underserved areas. Experts will discuss cutting-edge solutions based on the use and application of digital tools to support planning, development, and operations ultimately enhancing affordability. Attendees will gain insights into leveraging digital tools for optimized planning and project management, customer engagement, monitoring, and sustainable growth. Real-world case studies will highlight successful implementations, showcasing how technology bridges the gap between innovation and impact in energy access.

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