SNEC PV & ES 2026 I TDI’s Insights on the Ground
June 11, 2026
Our key take-away from SNEC 2026 is of a sector moving fast on technology, scale and international expansion, but with a clear gap between commercial ambition and preparedness for ESG, supply chain due diligence and responsible sourcing expectations in export markets.
That was one of the key reflections from TDi Associate Grace Gao’s attendance at the SNEC 19th International Photovoltaic Power Generation and Smart Energy Conference & Exhibition in Shanghai.
Across the week, several themes stood out:
GLOBAL EXPANSION IS FIRMLY ON THE AGENDA: Discussions during the UK DBT’s event on 1 June focussed on the UK’s net-zero roadmap, clean energy policy, project finance, regulatory support and market-entry opportunities, which drew strong interest from Chinese solar and storage companies looking outward.
TECHNOLOGY AND COST COMPETITIVENESS REMAIN THE DOMINANT FOCUS: Sessions centred on high-efficiency solar technologies, raw materials, auxiliary components, storage integration and the pressure to reduce the levelised cost of electricity.
THE SCALE OF THE SECTOR IS EXTRAORDINARY: SNEC 2026 brought together more than 3,000 exhibitors across 360,000m² of exhibition space, with hundreds of thousands of visitors and technical insights from experts across the global photovoltaic industry.
A CLEAR READINESS GAP REMAINS: While many companies are actively exploring international markets, ESG standards, supply chain due diligence, certification requirements were not yet central to numerous conversations. Several exhibitors had limited familiarity with evolving expectations in international markets.
RELATIONSHIPS MATTER: Grace engaged multiple companies, government bodies and third-party institutions, introducing TDi’s work and identifying opportunities for further follow-up in China and beyond.
For TDi, the mandate going forward is clear: as solar and storage companies expand into new markets, responsible growth will depend not only on technology and cost efficiency, but on stronger systems for supply chain risk management, ESG performance, certification readiness and human rights due diligence.
TDi is strategically placed to assist companies looking to enter or grow in international markets, where regulatory and customer expectations are evolving quickly.
If your organisation is navigating responsible sourcing, ESG risk, supply chain due diligence or certification requirements in the renewable energy value chain, we would be pleased to connect.