TÜV Rheinland Greater China, the international independent testing, inspection, and certification body, officially launched the 2025 “All Quality Matters” Solar & Storage Awards in Shanghai on March 18. The annual industry event will take place in Changzhou this September, with updated award categories and evaluation criteria reflecting the latest trends in solar and energy storage technology.
Industry Leaders Gather to Discuss Solar and Storage Advancements
The launch event was attended by leading industry experts, including Professor Shen Wenzhong, Director of the Shanghai Jiao Tong University Solar Energy Institute, and Professor Shen Hui, Director of the Yangtze River Delta Solar PV Innovation Center. Also present were Lü Fang, Secretary-General of the China Green Supply Chain Alliance PV Committee, and senior executives from TÜV Rheinland, including Lutz Frankholz, Managing Director of TÜV Rheinland Shanghai, and Li Weichun, Vice President of Global Power Electronics Product Services.
In his welcome address, Frankholz emphasized the growing role of solar and storage technologies in the global energy transition. “TÜV Rheinland remains committed to supporting technological innovation and product development in the photovoltaic (PV) and energy storage sectors, ensuring product safety and reliability while fostering a more integrated and collaborative industry ecosystem,” he said.
Solar Market Growth and Emerging Opportunities
According to forecasts from the China Photovoltaic Industry Association, global solar installations are expected to reach between 531GW and 583GW in 2025, with a potential 10% year-on-year increase in new capacity additions this year. While growth in some key PV markets is slowing, emerging markets with rising electricity demand and significant renewable energy potential could offer new opportunities. Domestic solar installations in China are also expected to remain at high levels.
Updated ‘All Quality Matters’ Awards Structure
TÜV Rheinland unveiled the refined award categories and evaluation criteria for the 2025 “All Quality Matters” Solar & Storage Awards, structured into three key groups:
- PV Products: The category continues to recognize excellence in PV cells and modules, with an enhanced evaluation framework reflecting the diversification of application scenarios and higher product quality requirements.
- Power Stations & Supply Chain Services: A new award for best supply chain transparency has been introduced, setting clearer quality and service standards for supply chain providers by assessing transparency and efficiency in supply chain management.
- Solar, Storage & Charging Products: A dedicated award for EV charging stations has been added, alongside expanded subcategories for energy storage cells, energy storage systems, PV inverters, and charging stations. New reliability and excellence awards have also been introduced to reinforce quality benchmarks. Additionally, the Comprehensive Performance Award has been refined to include stricter reliability assessments.
TÜV Rheinland to Release 2025 White Paper on Solar Technology & Quality
TÜV Rheinland also announced that it will publish the 2025 White Paper on Solar Technology & Quality at this year’s awards event. Based on the organization’s extensive experience in the solar sector and in-depth market research, the white paper will provide a comprehensive overview of technological advancements, industry innovations, and market trends, offering valuable insights for the sector’s high-quality development.
During the launch event, TÜV Rheinland also presented its latest precision measurement data for PV modules, analyzing the electrical characteristics and reliability performance of different technologies, including TOPCon, HJT, and xBC under standard testing conditions. The study covered key parameters such as power output, conversion efficiency, temperature coefficient, angle response, and low-irradiance performance—offering valuable references for R&D, production, and application.
Industry’s Shift Toward High-Efficiency Technologies
Commenting on the evolving market landscape, Li Weichun highlighted the industry’s shift toward high-efficiency solar technologies. “With outdated capacity facing elimination, technological differentiation is now critical for companies seeking to overcome price competition and sustain profitability. Enhancing product reliability and safety from the design stage is essential,” he said.
“TÜV Rheinland has hosted the ‘All Quality Matters’ awards for 11 consecutive years, remaining steadfast in its commitment to safety and quality. By establishing more scientific, rigorous, and application-driven evaluation standards, we aim to set new benchmarks for global solar technology innovation,” he added.
With the 2025 awards set to recognize the industry’s best in technology and quality, TÜV Rheinland continues to play a key role in shaping the future of the solar and energy storage sectors.
