Ningbo solar firms pioneer new global strategies at Canton Fair

Customer negotiation at the Ningbo Ulica Solar's booth. [Photo by Zhao Yu/cnnb.com.cn]

On Oct 19, the final day of phase one of the 138th Canton Fair, Ningbo's solar energy companies reported a surge in overseas orders.

Chen Bin, director of Ningbo Zhongyi Talent Strategy Research Institute, shared that long-time clients from the United Arab Emirates and Thailand ordered 58 containers of solar panels and systems worth over $3 million on the morning of Oct 19. "Every afternoon, all five negotiation tables were full," he noted.

Rather than simply exporting products, Ningbo firms are evolving into providers of full-system solutions. Chen said that clients now prefer turnkey systems — panels, inverters, batteries, and storage. "We have built a complete system so that customers can benefit from 'one-stop shopping'," Chen added.

Exhibitors take photos with an American customer. [Photo by Zhao Yu/cnnb.com.cn]

Companies like Ningbo Ulica Solar Co Ltd are expanding their influence across the entire industrial chain. "We produce modules, upstream silicon wafers, and cells," said Ma Zhaoshuang, the company's global sales director. "This lowers costs and improves efficiency. Next year, we'll launch higher-efficiency modules."

Customization is also key. Ningbo Ring Electronics Co Ltd focuses on small, flexible, and irregular panels for diverse clients, including lighting manufacturers. The firm has also entered domestic markets with offices and warehouses in Guangdong for faster delivery.

From full-chain integration to tailored products and dual-market strategies, Ningbo's solar enterprises are charting smarter paths in a competitive global landscape.