SNEC PV Power Generation and Smart Energy Conference

As the world's largest and most influential photovoltaic (PV) and energy storage event, SNEC PV+ 2025 brought together over 3,000 exhibitors and attracted more than 500,000 professional visitors from over 90 countries and regions. The conference featured a diverse array of high-level forums and sessions, including the Global Green Energy Leaders Dialogue, the Global Advanced PV Technology Conference, and the Global Green Energy and PV Financial Summit. These events delved into cutting-edge topics such as high-efficiency solar cell technologies (HJT/HIT, TOPCon, Perovskites), floating solar systems, building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), smart grid technologies, and the integration of photovoltaics with energy storage and digitalization.

SNEC PV+ 2025 offered an unparalleled platform for industry leaders, researchers, policymakers, and investors to collaborate, share insights, and drive the global transition toward a sustainable, low-carbon energy future.

13th Global Green Energy and PV Financial Summit 

The conference segment featured a series of high-level forums and summits, including the Global Green Energy Leaders Dialogue, the Global Advanced PV Technology Conference, and the Global Green Energy and PV Financial Summit. These sessions delved into critical topics such as high-efficiency solar cell technologies, energy storage integration, smart grid applications, and the financial aspects of green energy development. The event served as a pivotal platform for industry leaders, researchers, policymakers, and investors to exchange insights and foster collaborations, reinforcing its status as a global hub for innovation in the photovoltaic and smart energy sectors.

Burkhard Holder of VDE had the honor to close this year’s Global Green Energy and PV Financial Summit in Shanghai — an event that continues to grow in significance and impact year after year.

Despite the current headwinds facing the clean tech and renewable energy sectors, this summit reaffirmed something vital: the collective resilience, optimism, and readiness to act. High-level speakers, thought-provoking panel discussions, and truly interdisciplinary engagement brought new energy to the most pressing challenges the field.

What inspired him most? That across industries - from investors and insurers to policymakers and market analysts - there was shared commitment to stabilize the renewable energy sector, accelerate decarbonization, and build long-term market confidence in renewable energy and storage technologies.

This summit marked a very personal moment for Mr. Holder as well - his final event as Chairman, as he prepares for retirement at the end of this year. Over the past 15 years, they have built a trusted, globally respected platform for dialogue, driven by cooperation, openness, and mutual respect. “I'm deeply proud of what we’ve achieved together"~ Burkhard Holder.

A heartfelt thanks went to all who made the summit a success — especially the partners at APVIA, Madame Mi, Mrs. Xinzuan Zhu, and Mrs. Qun WANG, whose unwavering commitment has been instrumental in advancing a fair, innovation-friendly trade environment.

On June 11, 2025, an exclusive, invitation-only round table was held alongside the SNEC PV Conference and Exhibition to address the pressing challenges and opportunities in the cleantech sector, with a specific focus on enhancing trust-based cooperation, implementing sustainability criteria, and stabilizing global supply chains between China and Europe.

Moderated by Burkhard Holder and Patrick Zank of VDE, the session brought together 30 high-level participants, including industry stakeholders and representatives from the United Nations. The discussion took place in a collaborative and solution-oriented atmosphere, fostering candid dialogue and strategic insight.

Key Highlights:

• Global Market Pressures: Participants discussed the rising uncertainty in global cleantech markets, driven by geopolitical tensions and shifting trade regulations.
• Quality and Trust: Emphasis was placed on the growing need for independent, neutral inspections to maintain quality assurance in fragile global supply chains.
• Sustainability Priorities: Sustainability criteria—such as carbon footprint, green production methods, and recyclability—were identified as vital to future competitiveness and regulatory alignment.
• Strengthening Cooperation: Representatives from the United Nations shared proposals aimed at boosting innovation and reinforcing international cooperation through policy incentives and collaborative frameworks.
• Resilient Supply Chains: VDE proposed strategies for building more reliable and standards-compliant supply networks to ensure timely and sustainable delivery of cleantech components.
• Transatlantic Bridges: Participants stressed the importance of fostering deeper China-Europe partnerships to support a resilient and sustainable global energy transition.

The event concluded with a shared understanding of the urgent need for collective action, transparent standards, and international collaboration. A manifest of the discussion results and actionable recommendations will be distributed to all attendees.

This successful round table reinforced the critical role of dialogue in advancing sustainability and trust in global cleantech value chains.