The 2015 edition of Building Solar China, China’s professional platform for solar building technologies, ended on a positive note. Held from 23 – 25 September at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre in Shanghai, the event was organised by Messe Frankfurt (Shanghai) Co Ltd and Special Committee of Solar Buildings (SCSB) of China Renewable Energy Society (CRES). With the growing importance and popularity of solar-related technologies in China, the fair successfully attracted a number of solar technology specialists and green construction professionals to explore, discuss and exchange ideas on the current and future development of China’s building technology sector.
The Building Solar China Conference held on 24 September was a highlighted event during the fair. More than 10 high-level speakers from domestic and overseas industry associations as well as research institutes were invited to share insights into the industry’s most pressing issues and new breakthroughs.
Guest speaker Ms Zhang Lei, Secretary General of Special Committee of Solar Buildings of China Renewable Energy Society, provided insights into upcoming developments regarding the photovoltaic market. She said: “BIPV systems, especially for efficient distributed systems, will become one of the most important technologies in China’s solar industry. And I believe that Building Solar China is a comprehensive platform for industry peers to gain a deeper understanding of the demand for and applications of these PV technologies in buildings.”
Returning guest speaker, Ms Linda Zhang, Deputy Chief Engineer at China Singyes Solar Technologies Holdings Ltd, commented: “I have been an avid supporter of Building Solar China since it began actively promoting the idea of PV building technologies. The industry is becoming increasingly market-oriented and I have noticed great leaps in PV roof technologies and establishment of PV power stations. Therefore, I’m optimistic about the future of the industry. The conference was an effective networking tool for idea exchange and information sharing between industry peers. In fact, I was able to connect with solar building material providers which has enabled me to strengthen my relationships with the industry.”
First-time attendee, Ms Tian Tian, a Postgraduate Researcher from the Department of Thermal Engineering at Tsinghua University, also shared her thoughts on the conference. She said: “I’m a research student of renewable technologies. I came to the conference to learn more about future developments of the solar building industry, especially on BIPV and BAPV technologies, which is one of our research topics. The trip proved to be an important asset to my work, providing me the opportunity to interact with the industry’s top experts. This experience has increased my knowledge and understanding of the country‘s growing PV market.”
Aside from the concurrently held Building Solar China Conference, the fair also featured a display area, enabling visitors and conference attendees to gain a better understanding of the existing PV building technologies. Some of the participating exhibitors included Advanced Solar Power (Hangzhou) Inc, Hangzhou Tian Yu Solar Technology Co Ltd, Jiangyin UTTsolar Equipment Co Ltd, Zhejiang Heda Solar Technology Co Ltd and Shanghai Gaoshang Metal Window & Door Factory.
Returning exhibitor Jiangyin UTTsolar Equipment Co Ltd showcased their patented solar photovoltaic tiles. Ms Lucy Lu, Marketing Manager at the company, said: “What makes Building Solar China different from other solar technology-related fairs is that it has a precise market position that is in line with our BIPV products. I am quite satisfied with the visitor flow and our products have also drawn great interest here at the fair. I was able to meet a number of architects and overseas buyers who were interested in our products. The show benefits exhibitors and attendees equally. Based on the positive feedback we received this year, I will definitely come back again for the next edition.”
The industry support received from associations and institutions was critical to the event’s success. These associations included the Asian Institute of Intelligent Buildings (AIIB), the Continental Automated Buildings Association (CABA), the Hong Kong Association of Energy Engineers (HKAEE), the Shenzhen Solar Energy Society (SZSES), and the Zhejiang Strategic Alliance for Technological Innovation of Photovoltaic Industry.
Building Solar China 2015 was held concurrently with ISH Shanghai & CIHE, Shanghai Intelligent Building Technology, the Shanghai International Lighting Fair and the inaugural edition of Shanghai Smart Home Technology. Collectively known as the Shanghai edition of the “Intelligent Green Building – IGB” exhibition platform, the five shows occupied 40,000 sqm of exhibition space that ran from Halls N1 to N4. More than 700 exhibitors and 50,000 professional visitors were in attendance.