Sunlight and BYD Compete for Dominance in the UK Energy Storage Market

The UK energy storage market is entering a significant window of opportunity. According to recent data, the UK is expected to add 4.6 GW/7.2 GWh of new energy storage capacity in 2024, representing an increase of over 70% compared to the previous year. This growth trend is anticipated to continue into 2025, supported by several favorable policies from the UK government. The government’s “Clean Energy 2030 Action Plan” aims for photovoltaic installed capacity to reach 45-47 GW and battery storage to achieve 23-27 GW by 2030. Additionally, the UK has committed to a net-zero plan, aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050, with over $125 billion planned for investment in the new energy sector over the next decade, covering areas such as energy storage, offshore wind, and hydrogen. A recent initiative has also introduced a long-duration energy storage project, which shows promising results: as of September 23, 28.7 GW of long-duration storage projects passed initial reviews, with 171 applications, of which 77 were shortlisted, including lithium-ion battery projects.

This momentum not only provides a boost to the UK energy storage market but also indicates a significant acceleration in the country’s energy transition. At the annual Solar & Storage Live UK 2025 event, held from September 23 to 25, 14 Chinese companies were observed positioning themselves in this burgeoning market.

Sungrow Power Supply: PowerStack, 5 MWh ESS PowerTitan 2.0

Sungrow showcased its commercial energy storage solutions at the event, featuring products like PowerStack, 5 MWh ESS PowerTitan 2.0, and the 1+X 2.0 modular inverter. They also announced a new distribution partnership with HDM Solar and launched the Sungrow Power Club membership program.

The PowerStack 255CS utilizes Sungrow’s grid-forming technology, ensuring stable operation even in complex grid environments. It supports off-grid mode and can handle 100% unbalanced loads without requiring an external transformer. With carbon-silicon (SiC) semiconductors and ultra-low magnetic loss components, system efficiency can reach up to ≥98.5%. The PowerStack 255CS is available in two configurations: 257 kWh (2-hour discharge) and 514 kWh (4-hour discharge), allowing for a maximum of 25 units to be connected in parallel, with a rated power of 125 kW. Its compact size (1.15m × 2.45m × 1.61m for the 2-hour model) makes it suitable for urban settings with limited space. Sungrow states that this system is highly flexible and applicable in various scenarios, such as commercial energy storage systems and integrated storage and charging systems.

BYD Energy: Next-Generation 14.5 MWh Storage System “Hao Han”

At the exhibition, BYD Energy focused on showcasing its newly launched next-generation storage system “Hao Han.” This system features BYD’s self-developed 2710 Ah blade battery, offering over 300% more capacity compared to conventional energy storage batteries. The minimum unit capacity is 14.5 MWh, while the Hao Han achieves an impressive 10 MWh capacity within a standard 20-foot container, with a Vcts of 52.1%, surpassing industry standards by 39.7%. This design minimizes the physical footprint while maximizing energy potential.

In terms of safety, the “Hao Han” system is rated IP66 for overall protection, ensuring complete dust resistance and adaptability to various extreme environmental conditions. This system enhances the lifespan of sensitive components by 100% and reduces failure rates and maintenance costs by 70%.

Yiwei Lithium Energy: Mr. Giant Pro, 836 kWh Modular Cabinet – Mr. Brick

Yiwei Lithium Energy highlighted its “5-Year Zero Degradation” 5 MWh long-cycle storage system – Mr. Giant Pro, alongside the 836 kWh modular cabinet – Mr. Brick, and the MB56 large iron lithium storage battery.

The Mr. Giant Pro employs advanced large cell technology and proprietary long-life battery technology. It features a high-toughness, high-inorganic-layer SEI film to minimize side reactions during transportation, storage, and cycling. The product also incorporates unique SEI film self-repair technology, enabling automatic defect repair during usage, effectively slowing degradation and enhancing cycling life, thus achieving the groundbreaking “five-year zero degradation” performance.

Compared to traditional solutions, this system can increase the total discharge volume over its lifecycle by 16% and reduce DC-side equipment by 16%, significantly lowering initial investment and operational costs for customers.

JA Solar: Commercial Energy Storage System JAPlanet

JA Solar introduced its battery energy storage system JAPlanet, designed specifically for commercial applications. This system has a rated capacity of 125 kW and a storage capacity of 261 kWh. It integrates safety, efficiency, and ease of use, featuring a three-tier intelligent fire prevention mechanism, battery group-level monitoring, fire extinguishing capabilities, and explosion-proof design. These attributes simplify deployment while enhancing operational safety, underscoring the company’s commitment to high safety and performance standards.

Risen Energy: iCon 125 kW/261 kWh Commercial Liquid-Cooled Energy Storage Unit

Risen Energy showcased a range of products, including the iCon 125 kW/261 kWh commercial liquid-cooled energy storage unit, string inverters, micro-inverters, large liquid-cooled energy storage systems, and the Risen Cloud smart energy management platform. The iCon model, designed for commercial users, features modular design and integrates both air and liquid cooling systems, ensuring reliable operation in harsh environments. It offers multiple functionalities, uninterrupted off-grid operation, and milliseconds-level emergency power switching to ensure smooth production line operations.

Shouhang New Energy: Solar Storage System Solutions

Shouhang New Energy presented several solar storage system solutions, including the household solar storage unit PowerAll, the PowerIn small and medium-sized solar storage system, the PowerMagic commercial energy storage system, and the centralized PowerMaster energy storage system solution. The newly upgraded PowerAll is equipped with a single-phase ESI 8-12K-S1 inverter and a matching BTS-5K battery, with a flexible capacity configuration ranging from 5-30 kWh. Compared to the ESI 3-6K-S1, it offers greater PV power and load capacity.

In May this year, Shouhang launched the PowerIn small and medium-sized solar storage system solution, employing a modular and stacked design that supports multiple units in parallel and flexible battery expansion, effectively reducing initial investment costs for commercial users. The system allows for 200% photovoltaic overcapacity, with each MPPT current reaching 40A and features multiple electrical protections, ensuring efficient and safe operation across various applications in small to medium commercial complexes, manufacturing plants, and logistics parks.

Sanjing Electric: HS3 Solar Storage Charging Integrated Machine, CHS2 Solar Storage Hybrid Integrated Cabinet

Sanjiing Electric showcased its energy solutions covering both household and commercial sectors, highlighting the HS3 solar storage charging integrated machine, CHS2 solar storage hybrid cabinet, CM2 smart energy storage outdoor cabinet, and the Jing Solar smart energy management platform elekeeper. The HS3 is designed for modern household energy demands, featuring a slim profile of only 17 cm and integrating six functions, including photovoltaic inverter, charging station, energy storage converter, energy storage battery, backup power source, and the Jing Solar energy management platform, ensuring a 360° green and smart living environment.

Telongmei Storage: BluePulse Series Commercial Energy Storage Systems

At the exhibition, Telongmei Storage presented its commercial energy storage solutions, focusing on Vega, Polar, Eos commercial solar storage systems, and Alcor liquid-cooled storage systems. Their solutions cover a wide power range from 30 kW to MW, offering various configurations for backup power lasting from 2 to 5 hours, effectively reducing capacity and demand charges through peak shaving and valley filling, optimizing user investment returns while alleviating grid pressure.

Kostad: BluePulse Series Commercial Energy Storage Systems

Kostad displayed its latest household and commercial energy storage products, emphasizing the BluePulse series and the new BlueSpark series household solar storage products. The BluePulse series features dual fire protection, audible and visual alarms, and carbon monoxide detection mechanisms, ensuring operational safety while supporting the parallel connection of 20 grid-connected and 6 off-grid units, enabling flexible capacity expansion and significant investment cost savings.

Yuneng Technology: Ocean Series String Commercial Energy Storage Systems

Yuneng Technology introduced its DIY balcony micro-solar storage series, 20A high-current micro-inverters, single-phase and three-phase household storage inverters, and Ocean series string commercial energy storage systems. The Ocean series is adaptable for large applications, allowing string configurations based on actual capacity needs and equipped with a smart monitoring platform, ensuring safe, stable, and efficient bidirectional energy conversion within the system.

Minyang Ruiyuan: High-Voltage Cascade Energy Storage Systems

Minyang Ruiyuan showcased high-voltage cascade energy storage systems, 5 MWh integrated storage systems, 10 MWh boosting units, and 418 kWh distributed energy storage systems. They noted that their high-voltage cascade systems are primarily designed for large-scale energy storage stations, capable of withstanding extreme temperature variations and high humidity, with over 90% long-cycle efficiency and high safety, economic, and efficiency advantages.

Yingke Shuneng: 6.25 MWh Energy Storage Container

Yingke Shuneng displayed a comprehensive range of energy storage products, from 5 kWh to 6.25 MWh, encompassing household, commercial, and large-scale energy storage systems. The 6.25 MWh energy storage container features a modular design, high efficiency, and intelligent management systems, catering to key applications such as large-scale grid regulation, renewable energy integration, and load management.

Mingmei New Energy: Max-Pro Series Liquid-Cooled Energy Storage Cabinets

Mingmei New Energy showcased the Max-Pro series liquid-cooled energy storage cabinets, PowerCore liquid-cooled storage containers, and energy storage solutions for source-grid integration, solar storage, and microgrid systems. The Max-Pro series is specifically designed to meet the energy storage demands of commercial users in high-load, long-duration, and challenging environments, featuring an integrated PCS for combined AC and DC functionality, saving space and simplifying installation and maintenance while enhancing safety and efficiency.

Songsheng Innovation: Commercial Hybrid Inverters and Medium-Large Energy Storage Inverters

At the exhibition, Songsheng Innovation presented its entire range of energy storage solutions, covering household, commercial, and large-scale storage products. This includes commercial hybrid inverters, medium-large energy storage inverters, and household hybrid inverters. The household hybrid inverter is designed for efficient energy management at home, significantly increasing self-consumption rates and fully complying with UK market standards. The commercial hybrid inverters (29.9-500 kW) support various complex application scenarios, aiding businesses in achieving energy efficiency and optimizing electricity usage. The medium-large energy storage inverters (100–235 kW) target station-level energy storage systems, emphasizing overall efficiency and grid interaction capabilities, suitable for large-scale storage projects.