TÜV Rheinland at SNEC 2026: Supporting the Energy Transition with Technical Expertise

As the global energy transition advances, the photovoltaic and energy storage (PV-ESS) industry requires more than just compliance certificates; it needs robust frameworks and reliable trust systems capable of navigating market cycles.

In June 2026 in Shanghai, TÜV Rheinland presented its comprehensive approach at SNEC, a flagship global exhibition for solar and smart energy sectors. Through initiatives spanning top-level design, technical standards, market access, and ecosystem collaboration, TÜV Rheinland outlined its strategy for supporting the industry’s sustainable future. On the opening day, TÜV Rheinland participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony alongside world-renowned clean energy pioneers to mark the start of the event.

Shaping Industry Dialogue: A Roundtable on Navigating the Next Phase

During the exhibition, Mr. Weichun Li, Senior Vice President of Solar & Commercial Products, Greater China, and Senior Vice President of Global Power Electronics Business at TÜV Rheinland Group, moderated a high-profile roundtable forum themed “Inherit the Past and Usher in the Future”. C-suite executives from eight industrial frontrunners covering smart energy, digital energy, PV system solutions, advanced new materials, inverter production, electrical equipment, digital service platforms and energy raw materials engaged in discussions around three core topics:

· Trust Foundations and Data Sovereignty in the Energy Internet: Building secure and efficient data circulation systems using credible technologies.

· Cross-Border Advancements in High-End Manufacturing and Zero-Carbon Pathways: Translating sustainable development into full-chain zero-carbon practices.

· Reshaping the Global Supply Chain: Upgrading from product export to technology, standard, and ecosystem globalization.

Addressing practical challenges—from bottlenecks in AI digitalization and the value of upstream new materials to brand positioning in energy storage exports and credible data circulation—the panelists mapped out an actionable roadmap for China’s smart energy sector.

Expert Insights: From Grid Integration to Emerging Technologies

Faced with an increasingly complex next-generation power system, TÜV Rheinland’s expert team delivered multiple technical presentations covering quality and safety across the entire chain from equipment to systems. Key topics included:

· In-depth analysis of the IEC 62786 series standards as universal guidelines for distributed energy grid integration.

· Practical ESG value chain management for traceable power stations.

· Technological breakthroughs in specialized scenarios: Anti-glare performance evaluation for airports and transportation corridors, and space environment adaptability testing for commercial aerospace PV modules.

· Forward-looking directions: Reliability analysis and multi-scenario application solutions for perovskite products, and opportunities and challenges of lightweight non-metallic materials in energy storage.

· A quantitative reliability assessment framework for TOPCon PV modules.

These sessions provided actionable technical roadmaps and solutions tailored for real-world application scenarios.

Facilitating European Market Access: Joint Release of French Policy Guidelines

In response to evolving market access requirements in the EU, TÜV Rheinland partnered with CERTISOLIS TC, a recognized French institution, to host the “Meeting on New French PV Policies and French Carbon Regulations.” During the event, Mr. Franck Baruel, CEO of CERTISOLIS TC, alongside representatives from Tongwei Co., Ltd. and GCL Group, provided detailed interpretations of new policies such as PPE3 and NZIA. This offered Chinese enterprises practical compliance strategies to navigate challenges like mandatory carbon footprint certification and circular economy regulations.

Advancing Technical Standards: Publication of Two Industry Specifications

In frontier technology sectors, TÜV Rheinland collaborated with upstream and downstream industry players to drive the establishment of unified industry standards:

· Perovskite PV standardization: In partnership with China Huaneng Group, and joined by leading manufacturers including UtmoLight, GCL, BOE, and Renshine Solar, TÜV Rheinland officially launched a Joint initiative to establish a unified power measurement benchmark for perovskite PV modules, laying acritical standards foundation for the commercial adoption of this transformative technology.

· Fire-resistant PV module criteria: Collaborating with manufacturers such as LONGi, TCL Zhonghuan, Aiko, and Gaokin Solar, TÜV Rheinland jointly released the Technical Evaluation Specification for Fire-Resistant PV Modules, setting requirements that exceed current international standards to enhance product safety and protect power plant assets across their full lifecycle.

Deepening Ecosystem Collaboration: From Compliance to R&D Synergy

During SNEC 2026, TÜV Rheinland also completed strategic signings and certificate presentations with leading enterprises including Sungrow, LONGi, and CHINT.

A key focus of these collaborations is shifting from traditional backend certification to frontend R&D synergy. By engaging early in product design, TÜV Rheinland helps clients mitigate compliance risks during the initial R&D phase, significantly shortening time-to-market and fostering ecosystem co-prosperity.

Supporting the Journey Toward a Zero-Carbon Future

From macro-level industry dialogues to micro-level technical standard formulation, and facilitating specific European market access, TÜV Rheinland’s actions at SNEC 2026 have outlined a clear blueprint for industry support. Looking ahead, as the global energy transformation continues to evolve, TÜV Rheinland will continue to leverage its technical expertise and global service network to assist new energy enterprises in building a safer, more efficient, and more sustainable zero-carbon future.