New energy company Aikosolar takes lead in European market

New energy company Aikosolar takes lead in European market

By YUAN SHENGGAO | China Daily Global | Updated: 2023-05-09 00:00

Favorable regulatory policies and emerging markets are combining to expand business opportunities for Chinese new energy providers in Europe.

On April 17, Shanghai-based Aikosolar signed an agreement with Austria-based Burgenland Energie, pledging to help the state of Burgenland in eastern Austria achieve its carbon neutrality goal by 2030. The companies will leverage their respective resources in talent, technology and marketing to reach a comprehensive partnership, and will also cooperate in tech innovation and research and development in areas such as carbon neutrality, micro grids and the energy internet.

According to the memorandum of understanding signed on the same day, Aikosolar will establish a joint innovation center with Burgenland Energie in Burgenland State and the two parties will set up a visitor center focusing on climate neutrality technology and solutions.

"As a participant in the race to achieve net-zero carbon emissions, Aikosolar will ramp up efforts in technological innovation to support the construction of a new energy system around the globe," Aikosolar Chairman Chen Gang said at the signing ceremony.

"This cooperation with Burgenland Energie will enable us to fully utilize our advantageous resources and jointly set up a new power system and structure in Burgenland State. The aim is to promote the sustainable development of the photovoltaic industry and help the state achieve its carbon neutrality goal by 2030."

Austria has announced government commitments to use 100 percent clean electricity by 2030 and achieve climate neutrality by 2040. In order to achieve its 2030 target, the country needs to increase its electricity generation by an additional 27 tera watt-hours.

Located on the European Plain, Burgenland State has abundant light resources. It has been focusing on the expansion and optimal utilization of renewable energy, and is building the largest photovoltaic power station in Austria. As a major wind and solar energy producer in Austria, Burgenland Energie is a key player in the region's carbon neutrality initiative.

With the implementation of Burgenland State's plan, the company requires cooperation with high-profile photovoltaic enterprises with strong innovative capabilities that can provide efficient photovoltaic components and upstream support, as well as advanced technologies.

Aikosolar, founded in 2009, is an international player in solar cell manufacturing and in providing photovoltaic energy integrated solutions, with products sold in South Korea, Japan, India and Europe. In 2021-22, the company launched its ultra efficient "all back contact" structure cells and component products that won the 2023 Red Dot Award in Germany, becoming the world's first XBC-class photovoltaic component award winner. International authorities have hailed its technical strength and innovative capabilities.

According to the memorandum, the two parties will use the carbon neutrality timetable in Austria as the basis for a low-to-zero-carbon path in Burgenland State that will serve as a blueprint of cooperation.

"Since its establishment, Aikosolar's digital energy arm has been focused on the development of the entire solar industry," said Xia Hengliang, deputy general manager of Aikosolar's digital energy arm. "Over the past 14 years, Aikosolar has mainly conducted innovation and research and development. Therefore, you can see the contribution of Aikosolar toward the mainstream technologies in the photovoltaic industry via Aiko Energy."

With the advantages of Burgenland Energie's resources and channels, Aikosolar can further open up market channels for photovoltaic components and their supporting products and integrated solutions, the company said.

This cooperation with Burgenland Energie also means Aikosolar will further tap into the European market and export more low-carbon manufacturing methods and photovoltaic power solutions to the world.

"At this time, we are making efforts with Burgenland State to promote the carbon neutrality plan. We also hope that through this example we can more actively participate in the global process of carbon neutrality," said Xia. "Through years of accumulation in innovation and technology, we can truly contribute to this field."