2025 SMM Zero Carbon Road – Photovoltaic and Energy Storage Summit Concludes Successfully!

On April 10, the 2025 SMM Zero Carbon Road – Photovoltaic and Energy Storage Summit took place at the Marriott Hotel in Al Jaddaf, Dubai, UAE. The event successfully gathered over 500 global representatives from Asia, Europe, the United States, Africa, and the Middle East, including more than 50 international experts and officials from relevant government agencies. Discussions centered on key topics such as the global photovoltaic market supply and demand outlook, opportunities and challenges in the global energy storage market, market dynamics and future prospects for solar energy and storage in the Middle East, the future of zero carbon, challenges, and the potential of MEA, as well as financing and investment for solar and storage projects.

SMM’s senior photovoltaic analyst, Mao Tingting, provided insights, indicating that by 2025, the global photovoltaic installed capacity is expected to increase by between 475 GW and 495 GW, with an annual growth rate projected to decline to between -1% and 3%. The period from 2024 to 2026 is anticipated to be a destocking phase for China’s photovoltaic module market. As companies adjust their operating rates, phase out outdated production lines, and as government stimulus drives demand, improvements in the supply-demand landscape of the photovoltaic module market in China are expected by the second half of 2026. By 2027, the market structure should become clearer, with dual growth in domestic consumption and overseas exports significantly boosting the supply of photovoltaic modules, potentially leading to an annual surplus.

Additionally, SMM’s energy storage analyst, Li Weiyun, forecasted that from 2025 to 2030, as global energy storage plans are completed, the market will transition from a growth phase to a mature phase, with an expected annual growth rate of around 10%. By 2030, global energy storage demand could reach approximately 477 GWh.

Key Insights from the Summit

On April 9, the opening ceremony featured speeches from various distinguished guests including Róisín White Barrett, Executive Director of the Clean Energy Business Council for the Middle East and North Africa, and Fan Xin, Chairman of SMM. The discussions addressed current market trends for solar and energy storage, regulatory frameworks and policies, challenges and opportunities in deployment, and regional and international cooperation.

One of the highlights was a presentation on life cycle management of battery energy storage systems by Zou Song, Overseas Sales Director of Hangzhou XieNeng Technology Co., Ltd. He emphasized that life cycle management systematically oversees all phases from planning and operation to decommissioning, maximizing system lifespan, efficiency, and value while ensuring safety, regulatory compliance, and environmental responsibility.

Panel Discussions and Expert Insights

A series of panel discussions tackled critical issues such as the potential of Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) in the Middle East, financing strategies for solar and energy storage projects, and the integration of ESG principles into sustainable and profitable renewable energy strategies. Notable speakers included Marcus H. Schrauf, CEO of Fas Renewable Energy, and Karim Megherbi, CEO of Orisun Invest.

In a session focused on the global photovoltaic market supply and demand outlook, Mao Tingting reiterated forecasts for new photovoltaic installations in 2025 and highlighted trends indicating a slowdown in growth rates, particularly due to policy adjustments in the U.S. and increasing market uncertainties in China.

The summit also emphasized the importance of developing local talent in the renewable energy sector, with discussions led by Hinde Liepmannsohn from MESIA, focusing on bridging the skills gap and promoting female leadership in the renewable energy industry.

Conclusion

The 2025 SMM Zero Carbon Road – Photovoltaic and Energy Storage Summit concluded with a sense of optimism and collaboration, thanking all industry colleagues for their participation. We look forward to reconvening next year!