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TDK Ventures expands into Europe; will use new $150-million Fund EX1 to invest in clean-tech startups

  • TDK Ventures selected London for its first European office
  • New $150-million (USD) multi limited-partner Fund EX1 (EX = energy transformation) will focus on both European and North American-based electrification and decarbonization startups
  • TDK Ventures’ mission and values to invest in climate tech startups align with Europe’s ambitious goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% and reach net-zero emissions by 2050

SAN JOSE, Calif., June 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — TDK Corporation (TSE: 6762) announced today that subsidiary TDK Ventures Inc., its corporate venture capital arm, is expanding into the European market with plans to invest in startups in the region. The company selected London as the site of its first outpost for its ambitious quest to nurture energy transition, electrification, and decarbonization throughout Europe. At the same time, TDK Ventures will initiate its $150-million (USD) multi-LP Fund EX1. The fund will focus on both European and North American-based energy-transformation startups in Seed and Series A stages.

After thorough research, TDK Ventures chose London due to its deep venture-capital density as well as startups and investment funds that focus on the environment. The company also was impressed with the city’s overall venture innovation ecosystem that comprises entrepreneurially minded scientific talent, a world-class university system, top-tier climate investors (both early and growth), centralized location, and access to strong public markets. 

“TDK Ventures has earned a reputation for successfully investing in and supporting highly innovative startups featuring incredible disruptive technologies in the realm of electrification and decarbonization,” stated Lord Dominic Johnson, UK Minister of State in the Department for Business and Trade, who is a veteran of over 25 years in the financial-services industry. “I wish them much success in their efforts in combatting the many climate issues that face us. I am thoroughly delighted London was chosen as the site for their first European office and I look forward to their participation in the European market and enthusiastically welcome them to the city of London.”

“Globally, London ranks third in climate-tech funding, and third in the number of climate and energy-tech investors,” explained Nicolas Sauvage, President, TDK Ventures. “The latter ranking rises to No. 2 in the world when all of the UK is included. It also has corporate-friendly governance as well as familiar taxation, board structures, and a legal environment for venture-backed startups to find appropriate exits. This, coupled with the presence of many large-scale, late-stage, and growth-equity funds led us to decide on London as our first outpost in Europe.”

Sauvage continued that “TDK Ventures is very thankful for and appreciative of the strong support we have received from the Venture Capital Unit of the UK Government Department for Business and Trade over recent years.” 

The recent breakthroughs in materials science and advanced manufacturing in the European Union have created a watershed era for electrification and decarbonization projects. TDK Ventures has a history of helping entrepreneurial organizations in this space access the resources they need to scale production and commercialize their products as key components of global carbon neutrality.

“I am delighted that TDK Ventures has chosen London as the site of its first European office,” said Natalie Black, His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Asia Pacific. “Including UK companies as potential recipients in its new $150-million Fund EX1 is a testament to the strength of the UK’s tech sector, which raised $31.1 billion in VC funding last year, making the UK the third largest market in the world for tech investment. I look forward to seeing TDK Ventures thrive in the UK in supporting our efforts to tackle climate change.”

To learn more about TDK Ventures, interested startups or investment partners should visit www.tdk-ventures.com or reach out at contact@tdk-ventures.com

About TDK Corporate

TDK Corporation is a world leader in electronic solutions for the smart society based in Tokyo, Japan. Built on a foundation of material sciences mastery, TDK welcomes societal transformation by resolutely remaining at the forefront of technological evolution and deliberately “Attracting Tomorrow.” It was established in 1935 to commercialize ferrite, a key material in electronic and magnetic products. TDK’s comprehensive, innovation-driven portfolio features passive components such as ceramic, aluminum electrolytic and film capacitors, as well as magnetics, high-frequency, and piezo and protection devices. The product spectrum also includes sensors and sensor systems such as temperature and pressure, magnetic, and MEMS sensors. In addition, TDK provides power supplies and energy devices, magnetic heads and more. These products are marketed under the product brands TDK, EPCOS, InvenSense, Micronas, Tronics and TDK-Lambda. TDK focuses on demanding markets in automotive, industrial and consumer electronics, and information and communication technology. The company has a network of design and manufacturing locations and sales offices in Asia, Europe, and in North and South America. In fiscal 2023, TDK posted total sales of USD 16.1 billion and employed about 103,000 people worldwide.

About TDK Ventures

TDK Ventures Inc. invests in startups to bolster innovation in materials science, energy/power and related areas typically underrepresented in venture capital portfolios. Established in 2019 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of TDK Corporation, the corporate venture company’s vision is to propel the digital and energy transformations of segments such as health and wellness, next-generation transportation, robotics and industrial, mixed reality and the wider IoT/IIoT markets. TDK Ventures will co-invest and support promising portfolio companies by providing technical expertise and access to global markets where TDK operates. Interested startups or investment partners may contact TDK Ventures: www.tdk-ventures.com or contact@tdk-ventures.com.

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CORNEX Showcases Latest Renewable Energy Products at The Smarter E Europe 2023

MUNICH, June 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — CORNEX New Energy Co., Ltd. (“CORNEX”), a global new energy company committed to the innovation of lithium-ion battery technology, showcased its flagship products, including the Conergy π314Ah large battery cell and CORNEX 215kWh liquid cooling outdoor cabinet, at The Smarter E Europe 2023, the largest platform for the European energy industry, held from June 14 to 16 in Munich, Germany.

Conergy π314Ah large battery Cell: stable performance with longer battery life

The Conergy π 314Ah large battery cell has tackled the technological bottlenecks of long circulation and safety issues, its single-cell energy is up to 1,004Wh with cycle times reaching 12,000 times. Through the optimization of the electrolyte design formula and pole lug structure, it has lowered internal resistance by 15 percent and temperature rise is decreased by 10% percent.

Additionally, the main material of positive and negative electrodes is modified in structure, coupled with special coating treatment and granulation process to ensure the stability of the material structure of the battery in the long-term cycle process, extending the battery cell life.

CORNEX 215kWh liquid cooling outdoor cabinet: an all-in-one solution for multiple application scenarios

CORNEX 215kWh liquid cooling outdoor cabinet is applicable to industrial and commercial scenarios. The flexible, all-in-one product has adopted an integrated plug-and-play design supporting multiple parallel connections.

It’s a greener solution that utilizes large surface cooling technology to control the system temperature within 30 degrees Celsius and ensure a system temperature difference within 2 degrees Celsius to achieve constant temperature control of the cell.

It’s also a safer design with IP55 grade protection, and an intelligent product with functions including full-range monitoring in real-time, safety warning, fault diagnosis, smart operation, and maintenance, while supporting automatic grid switching.

CORNEX has also developed a fast and efficient after-sales service system that provides full life-cycle support and management to meet the needs of global clients, that includes field service, remote monitoring, safety systems, training, quality improvement, supply chain management, customer service, and financial management.

About CORNEX

As a new energy innovative high-tech enterprise, CORNEX NEW ENERGY CO., LTD. (“CORNEX”) focuses on the R&D, manufacturing, sales and services of energy storage batteries, EV batteries and energy management system, and is committed to providing the world-class solutions, products and services for new energy applications worldwide.

Source: CORNEX New Energy Co., Ltd.

State Grid Hangzhou Power Supply Unveils AI-Powered Service Team

Virtual team will ensure stable power supply for the upcoming 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou

HANGZHOU, China, June 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — On June 15 at 10:27 AM, the intelligent monitor in the distribution network control hall at the power supply service command center of State Grid Hangzhou Power Supply Company ( “SGHPSC”) issued a power outage alert. The alert signaled that the Gudang Substation 10 kV Zhaori 9674 line switch had tripped. Swiftly responding to the situation, the emergency repair expert promptly identified the affected area, and directed the repair crew to the location. Within one minute, Mr. Cai, a resident in the affected area, received a text message from the company notifying him about the outage. Simultaneously, the automated distribution system isolated the fault, restoring power to surrounding areas within three minutes. Approximately 20 minutes later, the company’s emergency repair personnel arrived on-site. Notably, this was the first time where the power supplier utilized the virtual office platform, summoning digital workers to resolve a power outage. The virtual dispatcher, nicknamed Patch, granted permission for the crew to commence their work, ensuring swift resolution of the issue. Coinciding with these events, SGHPSC organized a mobilization meeting to mark the 100-day countdown to the Hangzhou Asian Games. During the meeting the company reaffirmed its commitment to do its part to assure that the classic event would take place without a hitch by ensuring a stable power supply.

In March 2022, SGHPSC set in motion a plan to implement a six-module virtual digital employee platform, including virtual dispatching, intelligent monitoring, intelligent emergency repair, virtual office, and intelligent customer service. Each module corresponds to one dedicated digital worker, among them Patch and the emergency repair expert. By seamlessly integrating these six “employees” into the power supply service command system, SGHPSC achieved a remarkable synergy between human expertise and digital capabilities.

In 2018, SGHPSC embarked on a transformative journey by incorporating AI technology into its power grid command service, embedding into the distribution network an innovative “power brain” consisting of a grid knowledge graph, a multi-round human-robot dialogue engine, and a business decision engine. The first of these digital employees, the virtual dispatcher Patch, emerged as a remarkable outcome of this technological integration. Since then, a series of new AI-based members modeled on Patch have joined the team, including an intelligent monitor, virtual commissioner, office assistant, intelligent customer service employee, and emergency repair expert.

“The virtual digital employee team has integrated data from 17 distinct production management systems while utilizing AI and robotic process automation to handle simple repetitive tasks, significantly enhancing our productivity,” explained Jiang Jian, head of SGHPSC’s power supply command center. “The six virtual employees worked together seamlessly to streamline 27 business applications across six key functions within the power supply service command center, achieving a task replacement rate of over 50%.”

In addition to automated filtering and analysis of alerts from power grid operations, the intelligent monitor, working hand-in-hand with Patch and the emergency repair expert, proactively issue abnormal notifications that trigger the incident response process. This reduces the time required for fault investigation and reporting from 5 minutes to 1 minute. Furthermore, the virtual office assistant efficiently manages 10 common application scenarios, including automated work order dispatch (customer service hotline: 95598), work order review assistance, and customer briefing generation, completing an average of 7 reports per day and showcasing its remarkable efficiency in handling these tasks.

As the Hangzhou Asian Games approach, the AI-powered service team is set to enhance its collaborative mechanism, optimizing it for real-time monitoring of distribution network equipment and swift deployment of on-site emergency repair services through the utilization of digital tools. This strategic approach ensures the team’s ability to provide a secure and stable power supply while delivering optimized and efficient power services throughout the event. With these measures in place, the AI-powered service team is fully prepared to meet the power demands and expectations of the Games, ensuring a seamless and successful event.

Slenergy’s All-In-One Residential Solution Thrives in the Booming European Solar Market


MUNICH, June 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — The solar industry is experiencing an unprecedented boom in Europe, with a rapid increase in solar energy installations in recent years. The European Union witnessed a significant increase in solar power capacity installed in 2022, with 41.4GW added, up 47% from the 28.1GW installed in 2021, according to a report by industry association SolarPower Europe.

Slenergy's iShare-Home standard kit
Slenergy’s iShare-Home standard kit

Seizing the opportunity presented by the thriving market, Slenergy unveiled its latest innovation, the iShare-Home all-in-one residential solar energy solution, at a prestigious Brand and New Product release event in Munich, Germany on May 31. The new line offers system capacities ranging from 4-15 kW and includes a hybrid inverter, energy storage, a cable set, and smart monitoring system that tracks data in real-time and can be remotely upgraded via a cloud platform.

The iShare-Home system distinguishes itself with standardized system and modular product design, simplified installation process and smart energy management system, attracting considerable attention in both the European and global markets.

By adopting a standardized Bill of Materials (BOM) that includes all system components, Slenergy eliminates the need for clients to spend time designing, searching, and matching various parts. The smart energy management system integrated into iShare-Home solution empowers households to monitor power generation and consumption data while providing tailored energy management suggestions based on their energy usage patterns. This not only reduces household energy costs but also improves overall energy consumption efficiency.

Moreover, Slenergy’s system boasts preassembled mounting structures, prefabricated cable connectors, and stackable battery storage, making on-site connections fast and convenient. This streamlined installation process results in great cost savings, with installation costs being reduced by up to 20% for a 5 kW/10 kWh residential solar system.

Slenergy places a strong emphasis on quality assurance, ensuring that its products meet rigorous EN, IEC and ISO safety certifications. The company, adhering strictly to precision manufacturing standards, has implemented a visualization system for its entire intelligent manufacturing process, enabling clients to track core parts information of the system. To further support customers, Slenergy provides local service teams, offering end-users peace of mind.

Committed to creating a more sustainable new energy industry, Slenergy will showcase its comprehensive product portfolio at booth B3.370 from June 14 to 16 during Intersolar Europe, demonstrating its dedication to innovation and customer satisfaction.

Hanersun Ranked as a Tier 1 PV Module Manufacturer with its 600W+ Technology

NANJING, China, May 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — This week, the world-renowned BloombergNEF (BNEF) announced the Tier 1 list (a first-class PV module manufacturer) for the second quarter of 2023. Hanersun has been successfully named on the list due to its 600W+ high-efficiency large-format PV products, steadily increasing brand credibility and solid bankability.

As a global energy research and information provider, BNEF’s assessment reports are an essential reference for international new energy sector investigation, as the gold standard in the panel manufacturing industry. Therefore, the BNEF Tier 1 ranking is often used as a fair, objective, and highly credible reference for industry analysis. International financial institutions widely recognize it due to its stringent criteria.

Hanersun is well known for its 600W+ ultra-high power modules and has already become a major manufacturer of 600W+ bifacial module since 2021. In early 2023, Hanersun released the HITOUCH 6N series high-efficiency modules, which combine 210 and TOPCon technology and reach a power output of even 700W, ideal for large-scale ground-mounted power plants.

Hanersun’s ranking among the top global PV module manufacturers results from years of continuous pursuit of technological innovation and product upgrades. At the same time, the Tier 1 ranking reflects the high recognition of Hanersun modules by international professional research institutions and will help enhance the visibility and influence of the Hanersun brand globally.

In the future, Hanersun will continue to produce efficient and energy-saving solar technology products through cost optimization and technology iteration to make more significant contributions to a clean, low-carbon world.

Emeren to Release First Quarter 2023 Financial Results on May 31, 2023


STAMFORD, CT, May 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Emeren Group Ltd (“Emeren” or the “Company”) (www.emeren.com) (NYSE: SOL), a leading global solar project developer, owner, and operator, today announced that it will report its unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2023 after the U.S. stock market close on Wednesday, May 31, 2023. The Company will host a conference call to discuss the financial results at 5:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time on Wednesday, May 31, 2023.

What:    Emeren Group Ltd First Quarter (ended March 31, 2023) Earnings Call

When:    5:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time on Wednesday, May 31, 2023

Webcast: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/upr9x999

Participant Online Registration: https://register.vevent.com/register/BId591b19e06ce430c8013887637b005f4

Please register in advance to join the conference call using the link provided below and dial in 10 minutes before the call is scheduled to begin. Conference call access information will be provided upon registration.

Additionally, a live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available on the Investor Relations section of Emeren Group Ltd’s website at https://ir.emeren.com/.

About Emeren Group Ltd

Emeren Group Ltd (NYSE: SOL) is a leading global solar project developer, owner, and operator with a ~3 GW pipeline of projects and IPP assets across Europe, North America, and Asia. The Company focuses on solar power project development, construction management and project financing services with local professional teams across multiple countries. For more information, go to www.emeren.com.     

Canadian Solar Reports First Quarter 2023 Results

GUELPH, ON, May 18, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Canadian Solar Inc. (“Canadian Solar” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: CSIQ) today announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2023.

Highlights

  • 66% increase in solar module shipments year-over-year (“yoy”) to 6.1 GW, in line with guidance of 5.9 GW to 6.2 GW.
  • 36% increase in revenue yoy to $1.7 billion, in line with guidance of $1.6 billion to $1.8 billion.
  • 18.7% gross margin, in line with guidance of 18% to 20%.
  • Net income attributable to Canadian Solar of $84 million or $1.19 per diluted share.
  • 25 GWp of solar development pipeline and 47 GWh of battery storage development pipeline, as of March 31, 2023 (Recurrent Energy, formerly Global Energy).
  • Carve-out IPO of CSI Solar subsidiary on track to be completed in the second quarter of 2023.

Dr. Shawn Qu, Chairman and CEO, commented, “We started off the year strong with 36% yoy revenue growth and 750% increase in diluted earnings per share. We continue to leverage our premium brand to capture increased solar and battery storage opportunities, while laying the groundwork for future success with strategic capacity expansion. We remain focused on profitable growth and continue to optimize our cost structure through vertical integration. With the imminent IPO of our CSI Solar subsidiary, we will have a new platform to raise investment capital and further strengthen our leading position in solar and battery storage manufacturing.”

Yan Zhuang, President of Canadian Solar’s CSI Solar subsidiary, said, “We delivered a record operating profit in the first quarter, despite normal seasonal softness with lower input and manufacturing processing costs, and lower logistics costs. Looking ahead, as we continue to grow our volumes and increase the level of vertical integration, we expect profitability to remain healthy as our cost structure continues to improve and we reap the benefits of greater scale. On the battery energy storage side, we continue to grow our contracted turnkey pipeline which stood at approximately $1.3 billion as of March 31, 2023, and have continued to sign new contracts across the world reflecting overall market growth and positive customer response to our innovative products and solutions.”

Ismael Guerrero, Corporate VP and President of Canadian Solar’s Recurrent Energy subsidiary, said, “As expected, we monetized a smaller number of projects in the first quarter, namely, around 5 MWp in Japan, reflecting typical fluctuations in the timing of project sales. Importantly, we formally unified our Global Energy platform under our Recurrent Energy brand, which now encompasses our global development and services businesses rather than just our North American business as before. Recurrent Energy is now one of the world’s largest platforms with a global development pipeline of 25 GWp of solar and 47 GWh of battery energy storage projects, of which 14 GWp and 12 GWh respectively have interconnections granted. With a large majority of our pipeline being developed from greenfield, and increasingly holding and owning more of the projects we develop, we expect to capture even more value created throughout the project development cycle.”

Dr. Huifeng Chang, Senior VP and CFO, added, “In the first quarter, we achieved $1.7 billion in revenue, a 18.7% gross margin, and net income of $1.19 per diluted share. We delivered positive operating cash flow, while we continue to build on solar modules and battery storage inventories to position our topline growth for the balance of 2023. We fortified our balance sheet in the quarter and remain well-positioned to support our planned strategic capacity expansion, drive growth and create additional value. Both the N-type TOPCon capacity and greater manufacturing vertical integration will drive further cost reductions and greater operating leverage with higher volumes.”

First Quarter 2023 Results

Total module shipments recognized as revenues in the first quarter of 2023 were 6.1 GW, up 66% yoy. Of the total, 90 MW were shipped to the Company’s own utility-scale solar power projects.

Net revenues in the first quarter of 2023 were up 36% yoy and down 14% quarter-over-quarter (“qoq”) to $1.7 billion. The sequential decrease reflects the expected decline in module average selling price (“ASP”), lower solar module shipment volume due to seasonality, and lower project sales. The yoy increase was mainly driven by a significant increase in solar module shipments, partially offset by lower module ASPs and lower revenues from utility-scale battery storage solutions and project sales due to the timing of projects.

Gross profit in the first quarter of 2023 was $318 million, up 76% yoy and down 9% qoq. Gross margin in the first quarter of 2023 was 18.7%, compared to 17.7% in the fourth quarter of 2022, within the guidance range of 18% to 20%. The gross margin improvement was mainly driven by lower manufacturing costs, partially offset by lower module ASPs.

Total operating expenses in the first quarter of 2023 were $172 million compared to $213 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 and $165 million in the first quarter of 2022. The sequential decrease was mainly driven by further declines in logistics costs, while the yoy increase was mainly driven by higher total logistics costs due to the significant increase in solar module shipments, partially offset by lower average logistics costs per unit.

Depreciation and amortization charges in the first quarter of 2023 were $68 million, compared to $50 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 and $66 million in the first quarter of 2022. The sequential increase was primarily driven by the Company’s previously outlined manufacturing capacity expansion as it works to meet anticipated higher demand levels.

Net interest expense in the first quarter of 2023 was $12 million, compared to $11 million in both the fourth and first quarters of 2022.

Net foreign exchange and derivative loss in the first quarter of 2023 was $13 million, compared to a net loss of $15 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 and a net gain of $3 million in the first quarter of 2022. The net foreign exchange loss and derivative was mainly due to a weaker U.S. dollar.

Net income attributable to Canadian Solar in the first quarter of 2023 was $84 million, or $1.19 per diluted share (“diluted EPS”), compared to net income of $78 million, or $1.11 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2022, and net income of $9 million, or $0.14 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2022.

Net cash flow provided by operating activities in the first quarter of 2023 was $47 million, compared to $397 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. The qoq decrease in operating cash flow primarily resulted from higher inventory in preparation for expected revenue growth.

Total debt was $3.0 billion as of March 31, 2023, compared to $2.6 billion as of December 31, 2022, and included $831 million and $684 million of debt related to Recurrent Energy as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. Non-recourse debt used to finance solar power systems and project assets increased to $410 million as of March 31, 2023 from $365 million as of December 31, 2022.

Total project assets as of March 31, 2023 were $864 million, compared to $824 million as of December 31, 2022. Project assets are projects that are developed and built for sale, as part of Recurrent Energy’s business model.

The net value of solar power systems as of March 31, 2023 was $472 million, compared to $365 million as of December 31, 2022. Solar power systems are projects that are developed and built to be held on the Company’s balance sheet.

Corporate Structure

The Company has two business segments: Recurrent Energy, formerly Global Energy, and CSI Solar. The two businesses operate as follows:  

  • Recurrent Energy (formerly Global Energy) is one of the world’s largest clean energy project development platforms with 14 years’ experience, having delivered nearly 9 GWp of solar power projects and 3 GWh of battery storage projects. It is vertically integrated and has strong expertise from greenfield origination, development, financing, execution, operations and maintenance, and asset management.
  • CSI Solar consists of solar module and battery storage manufacturing, and delivery of total system solutions, including inverters, solar system kits and EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) services. CSI Solar’s battery storage business includes both its utility-scale turnkey battery system solutions, as well as a small but growing residential battery storage business. These storage systems solutions are complemented with long-term service agreements, including future battery capacity augmentation services.

Recurrent Energy Segment (formerly Global Energy)

Recurrent Energy is one of the world’s largest and most geographically diversified utility-scale solar and energy storage project development platforms, with a 14-year track record of originating, developing, financing, and building nearly 9 GWp of solar power plants and 3 GWh of battery storage power plants across six continents. As of March 31, 2023, the Company had a leading position with a total global solar development pipeline of approximately 25 GWp and an energy storage development pipeline of over 47 GWh.

While Recurrent Energy’s business model was historically predominantly develop-to-sell, as previously communicated, the Company is in the process of adjusting its strategy to create greater asset value and retain greater ownership of projects in select markets to increase the revenues generated through recurring income, such as power sales, operations and maintenance, and asset management income.

The business model will consist of three key drivers:

  • Operating portfolio to drive stable, diversified cash flows in growth markets with stable currencies.
  • Project sales (or asset rotations) in the rest of the world, driving cash-efficient, funded growth model as value from project sales will help fund growth in operating assets.
  • Power services through long-term operations and maintenance (“O&M”) contracts, currently with 6 GW of contracted projects.  

Recurrent Energy is continuing to evaluate adjustments in its growth strategy to hold valuable solar assets for the longer term.

Project Development Pipeline – Solar

As of March 31, 2023, Recurrent Energy’s total solar project development pipeline was 24.6 GWp, including 1.7 GWp under construction, 5.2 GWp of backlog, and 17.7 GWp of projects in advanced and early-stage pipelines, defined as follows:  

  • Backlog projects are late-stage projects that have passed their risk cliff date and are expected to start construction in the next 1-4 years. A project’s risk cliff date is the date on which the project passes the last high-risk development stage and varies depending on the country where it is located. This is usually after the projects have received all the required environmental and regulatory approvals, and entered into interconnection agreements, feed-in tariff (“FIT”) arrangements and power purchase agreements (“PPAs”). Significant majority of projects in backlog are contracted (i.e., have secured a PPA or FIT), and the remaining are reasonably assured of securing PPAs.
  • Advanced pipeline projects are mid-stage projects that have secured or have more than 90% certainty of securing an interconnection agreement.
  • Early-stage pipeline projects are early-stage projects controlled by Recurrent Energy that are in the process of securing interconnection.

The following table presents Recurrent Energy’s total solar project development pipeline.

Solar Project Development Pipeline (as of March 31, 2023) – MWp*

Region

In
Construction

Backlog

Advanced
Pipeline

Early-Stage
Pipeline

Total

North America

422

1,977

4,656

7,055

Latin America

1,400**

2,397**

887

407

5,091

Europe, the Middle East and Africa
(“EMEA”)

89

1,236

3,194

3,267

7,786

Japan

4

141

12

46

203

China

250

971**

1,325

2,546

Asia Pacific excluding Japan and China

3

1,001

887

1,891

Total

1,743

5,170

7,071

10,588

24,572

*All numbers are gross MWp.

**Including 672 MWp in construction and 332 MWp in backlog that are owned by or already sold to third parties.

Project Development Pipeline – Battery Storage

As of March 31, 2023, Recurrent Energy’s total battery storage project development pipeline was 47.4 GWh, including 0.3 GWh under construction, 1.7 GWh of backlog, and 45.4 GWh of projects in advanced and early-stage pipelines.

The table below sets forth Recurrent Energy’s total storage project development pipeline.

Energy Storage Project Development Pipeline (as of March 31, 2023) – MWh

Region

In
Construction

Backlog

Advanced
Pipeline

Early-Stage

Pipeline

Total

North America

3,898

15,242

19,140

Latin America

1,100

2,040

970

4,110

EMEA

110

4,038

10,081

14,229

Japan

19

19

China

300

7,500

7,800

Asia Pacific excluding Japan and China

20

458

200

1,440

2,118

Total

320

1,668

10,176

35,252

47,416

Projects in Operation – Solar and Energy Storage Power Plants

As of March 31, 2023, Recurrent Energy’s solar power plants in operation totaled 609 MWp, with a combined estimated net resale value of approximately $700 million to Recurrent Energy. The estimated net resale value is based on selling prices that Recurrent Energy is currently negotiating or comparable asset sales.

Solar Power Plants in Operation – MWp*

Latin America

Japan

China

Asia Pacific

ex. Japan and China

Total

335

176

86

12

609

*All numbers are net MWp owned by Recurrent Energy; total gross MWp of projects is 1,063 MWp,
including volume that is already sold to third parties.

As of March 31, 2023, Recurrent Energy’s energy storage power plants in operation totaled 280 MWh, representing the 20% interest Recurrent Energy retains in the 1,400 MWh Crimson standalone battery energy storage project in California.

Operating Results

The following table presents select unaudited results of operations data of the Recurrent Energy segment for the periods indicated.

Recurrent Energy Segment Financial Results

(In Thousands of U.S. Dollars, Except Percentages)

Three Months Ended

March 31, 2023

December 31,
2022

March 31, 2022

Net revenues

20,052

73,650

92,966

Cost of revenues

12,843

57,686

75,130

Gross profit

7,209

15,964

17,836

Operating expenses

22,414

17,315

18,847

Loss from operations*

(15,205)

(1,351)

(1,011)

Gross margin

36.0 %

21.7 %

19.2 %

Operating margin

-75.8 %

-1.8 %

-1.1 %

*Loss from operations reflects management’s allocation and estimate as some services are shared by the Company’s
two business segments.

CSI Solar Segment

Solar Modules

CSI Solar shipped 6.1 GW of solar modules to more than 70 countries in the first quarter of 2023. For the first quarter of 2023, the top five markets ranked by shipments were China, Brazil, the U.S., Spain, and Germany.

CSI Solar’s 2024 solar capacity expansion targets are set forth below.

Solar Manufacturing Capacity, GW*

March 2023

Actual

June 2023

Plan

December 2023

Plan

March 2024

Plan

Ingot

20.4

20.4

20.4

50.4

Wafer

21.0

21.0

35.0

50.0

Cell

21.0

26.0

50.0

60.0

Module

36.2

36.7

50.0

75.0

*Nameplate annualized capacities at said point in time. Capacity expansion plans are subject to change without notice
based on market conditions and capital allocation plans.

Battery Storage Solutions

Within CSI Solar, the battery storage solutions team, namely CSI Energy Storage, provides customers with competitive turnkey, integrated, utility-scale battery storage solutions, including bankable, end-to-end, utility-scale, turnkey battery storage system solutions across various applications. System performance is complemented with long-term service agreements, which include future battery capacity augmentation services and bring in long-term, stable income.

As of March 31, 2023, CSI Energy Storage had a total project turnkey pipeline of 22.8 GWh, which includes both contracted and in construction projects, as well as projects at different stages of the negotiation process. CSI Energy Storage was also managing 2.3 GWh of projects under long-term service agreements, which are operational battery storage projects delivered by CSI Energy Storage that are under multi-year long-term service agreements and generate recurring earnings.

The total contracted turnkey pipeline was approximately $1.3 billion, which are contractual obligations with customers and provide significant earnings visibility over a multi-year period.

The table below sets forth CSI Energy Storage’s battery storage manufacturing capacity expansion targets.

Battery Storage Manufacturing
Capacity, GWh*

March 2023

Actual

December 2023

Plan

SolBank

2.5

10.0

*Nameplate annualized capacities at said point in time. Capacity expansion plans are subject to change without notice
based on market conditions and capital allocation plans.

Operating Results 

The following table presents select unaudited results of operations data of the CSI Solar segment for the periods indicated. 

CSI Solar Segment Financial Results* 

(In Thousands of U.S. Dollars, Except Percentages)

Three Months Ended

March 31, 2023

December 31,
2022

March 31, 2022

Net revenues

1,709,730

1,976,045

1,209,994

Cost of revenues

1,394,121

1,631,417

1,034,165

Gross profit

315,609

344,628

175,829

Operating expenses

146,151

192,099

143,931

Income from operations

169,458

152,529

31,898

Gross margin

18.5 %

17.4 %

14.5 %

Operating margin

9.9 %

7.7 %

2.6 %

*Include effects of both sales to third-party customers and to the Company’s Recurrent Energy segment. Please
refer to the attached financial tables for intercompany transaction elimination information. Income from operations
reflects management’s allocation and estimate as some services are shared by the Company’s two business
segments.

The table below provides the geographic distribution of the net revenues of CSI Solar:

CSI Solar Net Revenues Geographic Distribution* (In Millions of U.S. Dollars, Except Percentages)

Q1 2023

% of Net
Revenues

Q4 2022

% of Net
Revenues

Q1 2022

% of Net
Revenues

Asia

555

33

846

45

473

41

Americas

632

38

635

33

453

39

Europe and others

494

29

417

22

231

20

Total

1,681

100

1,898

100

1,157

100

*Excludes sales from CSI Solar to Recurrent Energy.

Business Outlook

The Company’s business outlook is based on management’s current views and estimates given factors such as existing market conditions, order book, production capacity, input material prices, foreign exchange fluctuations, anticipated timing of project sales, and the global economic environment. This outlook is subject to uncertainty with respect to, among other things, customer demand, project construction and sale schedules, product sales prices and costs, supply chain constraints, and geopolitical conflicts. Management’s views and estimates are subject to change without notice.

For the second quarter of 2023, the Company expects total revenue to be in the range of $2.4 billion to $2.6 billion. Gross margin is expected to be between 19% and 21%. Total module shipments recognized as revenues by CSI Solar are expected to be in the range of 8.1 GW to 8.4 GW, including approximately 60 MW to the Company’s own projects.  

For the full year of 2023, the Company reiterates its prior outlook for CSI Solar’s total module shipments to be in the range of 30 GW to 35 GW. CSI Solar’s battery storage shipments are expected to be in the range of 1.8 GWh to 2.0 GWh, representing this year’s transition from white label to own manufactured product. The Company’s total revenue is now expected to be in the range of $9.0 billion to $9.5 billion from the prior range of $8.5 billion to $9.5 billion.

Dr. Shawn Qu, Chairman and CEO, commented, “We expect significant revenue and profit growth in the second quarter driven by both higher volume in solar module shipments and project sales. In the CSI Solar segment, volume growth is picking up while costs continue to come down, albeit partially offset by gradual ASP declines. On the Recurrent Energy side, we expect the closing of a major project sale during the quarter to have a significantly positive impact on profit. Overall, we will continue to leverage our market leadership position and expect significant growth in 2023 and beyond across both our solar and battery storage businesses.”

Recent Developments

Recurrent Energy (formerly Global Energy)

On May 15, 2023, Canadian Solar announced its wholly-owned subsidiary Recurrent Energy signed an aggregated virtual power purchase agreement with EMD Electronics, Biogen Inc., Wayfair LLC, Autodesk, Inc. and a large healthcare company for 100% of the production capacity of the Liberty Solar Project. Recurrent Energy is currently developing the 100 MWac solar project in Liberty County, Texas, around 50 miles from Houston. The project is expected to be operational in 2024.

On April 10, 2023, Canadian Solar announced the rebranding of its wholly-owned Global Energy subsidiary as Recurrent Energy. Recurrent Energy, previously the Company’s North American utility-scale solar and energy storage project developer, will now encompass all its global development and services businesses.

CSI Solar

On May 17, 2023, Canadian Solar announced its majority-owned subsidiary CSI Solar’s CSI Energy Storage will deliver 363 MWh of battery energy products to an Aypa Power Project in Texas. The project is expected to reach commercial operation by Q2 2024.

On April 11, 2023, Canadian Solar announced its majority-owned subsidiary CSI Solar capacity expansion plans. Namely, CSI Solar intends to have 20.4 GW of ingot, 35 GW of wafer, 50 GW of cell and 50 GW of module capacities by the end of 2023 and is expected to have 50.4 GW of ingot, 50 GW of wafer, 60 GW of cell and 75 GW of module capacities by the end of Q1 2024.

Conference Call Information 

The Company will hold a conference call on Thursday, May 18, 2023, at 8:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Daylight Time (8:00 p.m., Thursday, May 18, 2023, in Hong Kong) to discuss its first quarter 2023 results and business outlook. The dial-in phone number for the live audio call is +1-877-704-4453 (toll-free from the U.S.), 800-965-561 (toll-free from Hong Kong), 400-120-2840 (local dial-in from Mainland China) or +1-201-389-0920 from international locations. The conference ID is 13738337. A live webcast of the conference call will also be available on the investor relations section of Canadian Solar’s website at www.canadiansolar.com.

A replay of the call will be available 2 hours after the conclusion of the call until 11:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Daylight Time on Thursday, June 1, 2023 (11:00 a.m., June 2, 2023, in Hong Kong) and can be accessed by +1-844-512-2921 (toll-free from the U.S.), or +1-412-317-6671 from international locations. The replay pin number is 13738337. A webcast replay will also be available on the investor relations section of Canadian Solar’s website at www.canadiansolar.com.

About Canadian Solar Inc.

Canadian Solar was founded in 2001 in Canada and is one of the world’s largest solar technology and renewable energy companies. It is a leading manufacturer of solar photovoltaic modules, provider of solar energy and battery storage solutions, and developer of utility-scale solar power and battery storage projects with a geographically diversified pipeline in various stages of development. Over the past 22 years, Canadian Solar has successfully delivered around 94 GW of premium-quality, solar photovoltaic modules to customers across the world. Likewise, since entering the project development business in 2010, Canadian Solar has developed, built and connected over 8.8 GWp in over 20 countries across the world. Currently, the Company has approximately 609 MWp of projects in operation, 6.9 GWp of projects under construction or in backlog (late-stage), and an additional 17.7 GWp of projects in advanced and early-stage pipeline. Canadian Solar is one of the most bankable companies in the solar and renewable energy industry, having been publicly listed on the NASDAQ since 2006. For additional information about the Company, follow Canadian Solar on LinkedIn or visit www.canadiansolar.com.

Safe Harbor/Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release, including those regarding the Company’s expected future shipment volumes, revenues, gross margins and project sales are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. These statements are made under the “Safe Harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by such terms as “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “estimates,” the negative of these terms, or other comparable terminology. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include general business, regulatory and economic conditions and the state of the solar and battery storage market and industry; geopolitical tensions and conflicts, including impasses, sanctions and export controls; volatility, uncertainty, delays and disruptions related to the COVID-19 pandemic; supply chain disruptions; governmental support for the deployment of solar power; future available supplies of high-purity silicon; demand for end-use products by consumers and inventory levels of such products in the supply chain; changes in demand from significant customers; changes in demand from major markets such as Japan, the U.S., China, Brazil and Europe; changes in effective tax rates; changes in customer order patterns; changes in product mix; changes in corporate responsibility, especially environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) requirements; capacity utilization; level of competition; pricing pressure and declines in or failure to timely adjust average selling prices; delays in new product introduction; delays in utility-scale project approval process; delays in utility-scale project construction; delays in the completion of project sales; continued success in technological innovations and delivery of products with the features that customers demand; shortage in supply of materials or capacity requirements; availability of financing; exchange and inflation rate fluctuations; uncertainties related to the CSI Solar carve-out listing; litigation and other risks as described in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 20-F filed on April 18, 2023. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot guarantee future results, level of activity, performance, or achievements. Investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. All information provided in this press release is as of today’s date, unless otherwise stated, and Canadian Solar undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

Investor Relations Contacts:

FINANCIAL TABLES FOLLOW

The following tables provide unaudited select financial data for the Company’s CSI Solar and Recurrent Energy businesses.

Select Financial Data – CSI Solar and Recurrent Energy

Three Months Ended March 31, 2023

(In Thousands of U.S. Dollars, Except Percentages)

CSI Solar

Recurrent
Energy

Elimination
and
unallocated
items (1)

Total

Net revenues 

1,709,730

20,052

(28,501)

1,701,281

Cost of revenues

1,394,121

12,843

(23,684)

1,383,280

Gross profit

315,609

7,209

(4,817)

318,001

Gross margin

18.5 %

36.0 %

18.7 %

Income (loss) from
    operations
(2)

169,458

(15,205)

(8,649)

145,604

Select Financial Data – CSI Solar and Recurrent Energy

Three Months Ended March 31, 2022

(In Thousands of U.S. Dollars, Except Percentages)

CSI Solar

Recurrent

Energy

Elimination
and
unallocated
items (1)

Total

Net revenues 

1,209,994

92,966

(52,611)

1,250,349

Cost of revenues

1,034,165

75,130

(39,837)

1,069,458

Gross profit

175,829

17,836

(12,774)

180,891

Gross margin

14.5 %

19.2 %

14.5 %

Income (loss) from
    operations
(2)

31,898

(1,011)

(15,372)

15,515

(1) Includes inter-segment elimination, and unallocated corporate costs not considered part of management’s
evaluation of business segment operating performance.

(2) Income (loss) from operations reflects management’s allocation and estimate as some services are shared
by the Company’s two business segments.

Select Financial Data – CSI Solar and Recurrent Energy

Three Months
Ended

March 31, 2023

Three Months
Ended

December 31,
2022

Three Months
Ended

March 31, 2022

(In Thousands of U.S. Dollars)

CSI Solar Revenues:

Solar modules

1,454,876

1,642,144

963,045

Solar system kits

133,587

157,845

90,456

Utility-scale battery storage

9,815

48,992

82,500

Residential battery storage

4,995

686

EPC

49,023

20,933

5,323

Others

28,933

27,346

16,059

Subtotal

1,681,229

1,897,946

1,157,383

Recurrent Energy Revenues:

Solar and battery storage projects

4,621

58,504

78,392

O&M and asset management services

8,687

8,087

7,948

Others (includes electricity sales)

6,744

7,059

6,626

Subtotal

20,052

73,650

92,966

Total net revenues

1,701,281

1,971,596

1,250,349

Canadian Solar Inc.

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(In Thousands of U.S. Dollars, Except Share and Per Share Data)

Three Months Ended

March 31,

December 31,

March 31,

2023

2022

2022

Net revenues

$ 1,701,281

$ 1,971,596

$ 1,250,349

Cost of revenues

1,383,280

1,622,967

1,069,458

Gross profit

318,001

348,629

180,891

Operating expenses:

Selling and distribution
expenses

88,371

126,313

108,845

General and administrative
expenses

78,648

89,207

62,810

Research and development
expenses

17,307

20,607

13,280

Other operating income,
net

(11,929)

(23,260)

(19,559)

Total operating expenses

172,397

212,867

165,376

Income from operations

145,604

135,762

15,515

Other income (expenses):

Interest expense

(20,448)

(20,195)

(15,302)

Interest income

7,956

9,287

4,212

Gain (loss) on change in
fair value of derivatives, net

7,601

(27,071)

(24,738)

Foreign exchange gain
(loss), net

(20,860)

11,610

27,862

Investment income (loss),

net

8,380

2,628

(5,524)

Total other expense

(17,371)

(23,741)

(13,490)

Income before income taxes
and equity in earnings of
affiliates

128,233

112,021

2,025

Income tax benefit (expense)

(28,715)

(21,850)

5,183

Equity in earnings of affiliates

7,311

8,653

1,726

Net income

106,829

98,824

8,934

Less: Net income (loss)
attributable to non-
controlling interests

23,117

20,990

(273)

Net income attributable to
Canadian Solar Inc.

$ 83,712

$ 77,834

$ 9,207

Earnings per share – basic

$   1.30

$   1.21

$   0.14

Shares used in computation –
basic

64,517,935

64,505,398

64,028,919

Earnings per share – diluted

$   1.19

$   1.11

$   0.14

Shares used in computation –
diluted

71,424,749

71,307,345

64,720,107

 Canadian Solar Inc.

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

(In Thousands of U.S. Dollars)

 Three Months Ended

March 31,

December 31,

March 31,

2023

2022

2022

Net Income

$ 106,829

$ 98,824

$ 8,934

Other comprehensive income
(loss):

Foreign currency translation
adjustment

23,250

73,310

7,511

Gain on changes in fair value of
available-for-sale debt securities,
net of tax

339

306

Gain (loss) on interest rate swap,
net of tax

(105)

34

190

Share of gain (loss) on changes in
fair value of derivatives of affiliate,
net of tax

(610)

1,499

Comprehensive income

129,703

173,973

16,635

Less: comprehensive income
attributable to non-controlling
interests

25,162

30,631

1,127

Comprehensive income
attributable to Canadian Solar
Inc.

$ 104,541

$ 143,342

$ 15,508

Canadian Solar Inc.

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In Thousands of U.S. Dollars)

March 31,

December 31,

2023

2022

ASSETS

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$  848,035

$ 981,434

Restricted cash

1,207,573

978,116

Accounts receivable trade, net

991,168

970,950

Accounts receivable, unbilled

67,886

57,770

Amounts due from related parties

51,190

48,614

Inventories

1,671,544

1,524,095

Value added tax recoverable

192,810

158,773

Advances to suppliers, net

345,633

253,484

Derivative assets

7,761

17,516

Project assets

396,035

385,964

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

267,833

267,941

Total current assets

6,047,468

5,644,657

Restricted cash

19,925

9,953

Property, plant and equipment, net

1,986,335

1,826,643

Solar power systems, net

471,971

364,816

Deferred tax assets, net

226,765

229,226

Advances to suppliers, net

73,531

65,352

Investments in affiliates

136,449

115,784

Intangible assets, net

14,797

17,530

Project assets

467,567

438,529

Right-of-use assets

153,716

103,600

Amounts due from related parties

35,106

33,489

Other non-current assets

195,693

187,549

TOTAL ASSETS

$  9,829,323

$  9,037,128

Canadian Solar Inc.

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Continued)

(In Thousands of U.S. Dollars)

March 31,

December 31,

2023

2022

Current liabilities:

Short-term borrowings

$  1,761,960

$ 1,443,816

Accounts payable

797,909

805,300

Short-term notes payable

1,620,475

1,493,399

Amounts due to related parties

16,736

89

Other payables

864,097

853,040

Advances from customers

335,207

334,943

Derivative liabilities

11,920

25,359

Operating lease liabilities

9,779

9,810

Other current liabilities

397,122

293,012

Total current liabilities

5,815,205

5,258,768

Long-term borrowings

862,759

813,406

Convertible notes

226,335

225,977

Liability for uncertain tax positions

5,730

5,730

Deferred tax liabilities

67,930

66,630

Loss contingency accruals

6,887

5,000

Operating lease liabilities

72,852

25,714

Other non-current liabilities

337,560

329,209

TOTAL LIABILITIES

7,395,258

6,730,434

Equity:

Common shares

835,543

835,543

Additional paid-in capital

2,785

1,127

Retained earnings

1,359,232

1,275,520

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(149,722)

(170,551)

Total Canadian Solar Inc. shareholders’
equity

2,047,838

1,941,639

Non-controlling interests

386,227

365,055

TOTAL EQUITY

2,434,065

2,306,694

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

$ 9,829,323

$ 9,037,128

Source: Canadian Solar Inc.

Zendure SuperBase V Named Winner of Four iF DESIGN AWARDS

Zendure’s Flagship SuperBase V, Plus Satellite Battery, Home Panel and Packaging, Win iF DESIGN AWARDS Amid 11,000 Entries

PALO ALTO, Calif., May 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Zendure, one of the fastest-growing global energy tech start-ups, was named a winner of four of this year’s iF DESIGN AWARDS, the world-renowned design prize. The company’s SuperBase V, as well as the satellite battery, home panel and packaging, were all recognized with this highly coveted award.


Each year, the world’s oldest independent design organization, Hannover-based iF International Forum Design GmbH, organizes the iF DESIGN AWARD. In several instances, Zendure won over the 133-member jury, made up of independent experts from all over the world, with their innovative designs. The competition was steep: almost 11,000 entries were submitted from 56 countries in hopes of receiving the seal of quality.

SuperBase V is the first modular, portable power station with semi-solid state batteries to provide more reliable, safer, cleaner energy when and where users need it most. With up to 64kWh of expandable power and dual voltage output, SuperBase V stands out as true innovation. It is an ideal and clean option for RV and off-grid living, trade professionals, EV charging, whole-home power needs and as emergency back-up when sudden outages occur.

“We are honored to have our design recognized by such a renowned organization,” said Jolene Shang, Chief Marketing Officer at Zendure, “We strive to deliver reliable and affordable clean energy for households worldwide by popularizing the latest EnergyTech, with a key focus on user-centric and innovative design. By putting the needs of our users first, we can create products that not only look sleek and modern but also enhance the user experience. By prioritizing innovation and design, we are confident that we can provide our customers with the best possible clean energy solutions that are both practical and stylish.”

More information about Zendure’s winning entries can be found at https://ifdesign.com/en/brands-creatives/company/zendure-usa-inc/17765.

ABOUT ZENDURE

Founded in 2017, Zendure is one of the fastest-growing EnergyTech start-ups located in the technology hubs of Silicon Valley, USA, and the Greater Bay Area, China, Japan, and Germany. Our purpose is to accelerate a sustainable future. Our mission is to deliver reliable and affordable clean energy for households worldwide by popularizing the latest EnergyTech. We envision being a Clean EnergyTech platform that sustains communities and families. Our successes include SuperBase M, SuperBase Pro and the first Plug & Play Home Energy Storage System – SuperBase V, along with our line of Satellite Batteries, Smart Home Panel, Smart Plug, EV Charger and Remote Energy Management App. Our revolutionary Balcony Energy Storage System SolarFlow turns sunlight into a safe, reliable and resilient source of energy to power our daily life.

To learn more visit Zendure.com and follow Zendure on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

ABOUT THE iF DESIGN AWARD

Since 1954, the iF DESIGN AWARD has been recognized as an arbiter of quality for excellent design. The iF Design brand is renowned worldwide for outstanding design services, and the iF DESIGN AWARD is one of the most important design prizes in the world. It honors design achievements in all disciplines: product, packaging, communication and service design, architecture and interior architecture as well as professional concept, user experience (UX) and user interface (UI). All award-winning entries are featured on www.ifdesign.com.

Source: Zendure USA Inc.

COP28 President-Designate Calls for Action to Transform, Decarbonize and Future-Proof Economies at UAE Climate Tech

Over 1,500 leaders from technology companies, major industries, finance, government, civil society, and the energy sector convene in Abu Dhabi for UAE Climate Tech.

UAE Climate Tech provides platform to transform, decarbonize and future proof economies.

Power of technology to turn one of the greatest challenges we face today into one of the greatest opportunities for sustainable socio-economic development.

To maintain economic progress, while dramatically reducing emissions and meeting goals of Paris Agreement, we need nothing short of a major course correction.

Need to translate what we agree inside the COP negotiation rooms into practical actions in the real world.

We need breakthrough solutions, and the single most critical source of these solutions is technology.

The potential is there, but the landscape is fragmented and this is simply slowing us down. What is missing is a holistic, unifying ecosystem that brings all the key players together and brings everything under one umbrella.

With the right policies stimulating the right investments, climate technologies could at-least double their contribution to global growth, while removing up to 25 billion tons of carbon emissions annually.

By leveraging climate technologies, we can build a new economic development model based on putting an end to emissions, while breathing new life into economic growth.

Dr. Al Jaber repeats call for the tripling of global renewable energy capacity to 11000 GW by 2030 and double again by 2040.

Renewables not only answer. 5000 cement, steel and aluminum plants in the world make up more than 30 per cent of global emissions and none can run on renewable energy alone.

Hydrogen needs to be scaled up and commercialized to make real impact on energy system.

Most recent IPCC report clearly states that applying carbon capture technologies to heavy emitting industries is a critical enabler in the race to net zero.

Need to keep pushing for breakthroughs in battery storage, expand nuclear and invest in new energies like fusion.

Need to aggressively apply the latest platform technologies such as AI, robotics, and block chain, to increase the efficiency of the energies we use today across every sector.

Technology companies need to focus on food systems and agriculture- the biggest single source of greenhouse gasses, representing over one third of global emissions.

Dr Al Jaber repeats call for the oil and gas industry to zero out methane emissions by 2030 and align around comprehensive net zero plans by or before 2050.

need to phase out emissions from all sectors including transportation, agriculture, heavy industry, and of course fossil fuels, while investing in technologies to phase up all viable zero carbon alternatives.

Need to re-imagine the relationship between producers and consumers.

From one based purely on supply and demand, to a relationship that is focused on co-creating the future.

Critical that as we adopt new technologies, the global south is not left behind. Technology is essential to helping the most vulnerable communities, build capacities and leapfrog into a low carbon economic development model.

Paris Agreement united governments around what the world must do to meet the climate challenge, COP 28 will focus on the “how”.

COP 28 to be a COP of Practical Action and Pragmatic Results, a COP of Solutions, a COP of Impact, and a COP for ALL.

Let’s break down siloed thinking and build up an integrated creative partnership.

Let’s end the finger pointing and point to actions and targets and let’s point to a brighter future.

Together, let’s create a low carbon pathway to a high growth destination, because together is the only way we will get it done.

ABU DHABI, UAE, May 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — His Excellency Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and COP28 President-Designate, today, called for collective climate action from global leaders to transform, decarbonize and future-proof economies.

Dr. Sultan Al Jaber,UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and COP28 President-Designate, today, called for collective climate action from global leaders to transform, decarbonize and future-proof economies.
Dr. Sultan Al Jaber,UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and COP28 President-Designate, today, called for collective climate action from global leaders to transform, decarbonize and future-proof economies.

Dr. Al Jaber was speaking to over one thousand five hundred global policy makers, innovators, and industrial leaders at the UAE CLIMATE TECH conference in Abu Dhabi with a call to accelerate the development and deployment of technological solutions to decarbonize economies and reduce emissions by at least forty-three per cent by 2030 in line with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report.

In his remarks, he stressed the urgent need for a responsible and pragmatic energy transition that is laser-focused on phasing out fossil fuel emissions while phasing up all viable zero carbon alternatives while ensuring that the Global South is not left behind.

“The science is already telling us that we are way off track. The latest IPCC report has confirmed that the world must reduce emissions forty three percent by 2030, and that’s if we are serious about keeping the ambition of 1.5 alive. At the same time, we know that global energy demand will continue to increase because an additional half a billion people will join us on this planet by 2030.”

“If we are going to maintain economic progress, while dramatically reducing emissions, we need nothing short of a major course correction. We need to translate what we agree inside the COP negotiation rooms into practical actions in the real world. We need to find a way to hold back emissions, not progress. We need breakthrough solutions, and the single most critical source of these solutions is technology.”

Continuing his remarks, Dr. Al Jaber noted that clean tech investments broke the $1 trillion barrier for the first time in 2022, with substantial room for growth.

“I believe this transformation represents the greatest opportunity or human and economic development since the first industrial revolution, and I know we are moving in the right direction.”

“With the right policies stimulating the right investments, climate technologies could at least double their contribution to global growth, while removing up to twenty-five billion tons of carbon emissions annually. By leveraging climate technologies, we can build a new economic development model based on putting an end to emissions, while breathing new life into economic growth.”

Despite the growth of renewable energy, the majority of emissions cannot be solved by renewables alone, particularly in heavy emitting industries.  Dr. Al Jaber noted that there are more than 5,000 cement, steel and aluminum plants in the world today that together make up almost thirty per cent of global emissions and none of them can run on wind or solar alone.

Dr. Al Jaber went on to highlight the critical role of hydrogen and carbon capture in enabling a responsible and pragmatic energy transition.

“Here is where solutions like hydrogen can play a role, but it needs to be scaled up and commercialized to make a real impact in the energy system. If we are serious about curbing industrial emissions, we need to get serious about carbon capture technologies. In any realistic scenario that gets us to net zero, carbon capture technology will have a role to play. Without it, the math just doesn’t add up.”

Dr. Al Jaber emphasized the importance of continuing to invest in nuclear energy, and push for breakthroughs in battery storage, before moving on to the need for cooperation between agriculture and technology to drive down global emissions.

“We should remember that outside of heavy emitting industries, food systems and agriculture are the biggest single source of greenhouse gasses, representing over one third of global emissions. We need technology companies to really focus on this space.  The UAE is emerging as a leader in agri-tech, vertical farming, and the use of digital technologies to reduce energy and water use while increasing crop yields in harsh environments.

“Along with the United States, the UAE has launched AIM for Climate, a fifty-country coalition aimed at maximizing the use of commercial technology to reduce emissions and increase the availability of nutritious food around the world.”

Dr. Al Jaber repeated his call on the oil and gas industry to zero out methane emissions by 2030 and align around comprehensive net zero plans by or before 2050.

“While the world still uses hydrocarbons, we must do everything in our power to reduce and eventually eliminate the carbon intensity of that energy. That’s why I have called on the oil and gas industry to zero out methane emissions by 2030 and align around comprehensive net zero plans by or before 2050. The goal for this industry and all industries is clear.  We need to phase out emissions from all sectors including transportation, agriculture, heavy industry, and of course fossil fuel emissions, while investing in technologies to phase up all viable zero carbon alternatives.”

“For this to happen faster, we need to re-imagine the relationship between producers and consumers. From one based purely on supply and demand, to a relationship that is focused on co-creating the future. We must create an active partnership between the largest producers of energy, the biggest industrial consumers, technology companies, the finance community, government, and civil society. It is an all-of-the-above effort: working together, the goal would be an accelerated, pragmatic, practical and just energy transition that leaves no one behind.”

Dr. Al Jaber noted that maximizing technology adoption in the Global South requires the public, multilateral, and private sectors to supercharge climate finance by enhancing the availability, accessibility and affordability of capital countries that need it most.

“It is critical that as we adopt new technologies, the Global South is not left behind. Last year, developing economies received only twenty per cent of clean tech investments. These economies represent seventy percent of the world’s population – that’s over 5 billion people. Technology is essential to helping the most vulnerable communities build capacities and leapfrog into a low carbon economic development model.”

Concluding his remarks, Dr. Al Jaber noted that time is running out and the stakes for the planet are high. “While the historic Paris Agreement united governments around what the world must do to meet the climate challenge, COP28 will focus on the ‘how’,” Dr. Al Jaber said.

For up to date COP28 news, follow us on Twitter @COP28_UAE

Notes to Editors

COP28 UAE:

  • COP28 UAE will take place at Expo City Dubai from November 30-December 12, 2023. The Conference is expected to convene over 70,000 participants, including heads of state, government officials, international industry leaders, private sector representatives, academics, experts, youth, and non-state actors.
  • As mandated by the Paris Climate Agreement, COP28 UAE will deliver the first ever Global Stocktake – a comprehensive evaluation of progress against climate goals.
  • The UAE will lead a process for all parties to agree upon a clear roadmap to accelerate progress through a pragmatic global energy transition and a “leave no one behind” approach to inclusive climate action.
Dr. Al Jaber repeated his call on the oil and gas industry to zero out methane emissions by 2030 and align around comprehensive net zero plans by or before 2050.
Dr. Al Jaber repeated his call on the oil and gas industry to zero out methane emissions by 2030 and align around comprehensive net zero plans by or before 2050.

Hisense Named to Fortune China’s ESG Influential Listing 2023


QINGDAO, China, May 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Hisense, the consumer technology brand and a major international provider of home appliances, has once again been named to Fortune China’s ESG Influential Listing, for its excellent performance in the fields of technology research and development, manufacturing, and supply chain partnerships.

Hisense has once again been named to Fortune China’s ESG Influential Listing
Hisense has once again been named to Fortune China’s ESG Influential Listing

The companies selected in the list have made remarkable efforts to improve the environment, protect employees and support communities, and are exploring a path to sustainable and inclusive growth. With an increasingly significant focus on social responsibility (which forms part of China’s “dual carbon” strategy), Hisense also recognizes the importance of a global effort that goes beyond Asia to the benefit of all other countries across the globe. 

The Fortune China’s ESG List 2023 noted: “This year, Hisense was especially highlighted for its work that takes advantage of the ‘Solar photovoltaic, Energy storage, Direct current and Flexibility'(PEDF) building opportunity created by China to create and employ advanced self-developed technology for central air conditioning systems. This advancement changes the air conditioning system from a large power consumer to a transfer station of the distributed energy system. This solves the disadvantages of large power consumption and high carbon emission of traditional air conditioning, and realizes the technical innovation of the traditional air conditioning industry.”

“Additionally, Hisense has improved water use efficiency and the reduction of water pollution across various fields, such as plant site selection, technical transformation implementation, production and manufacturing and supply chain partner selection. At the same time, the company actively promotes the recycling of industrial wastewater nearby, optimizes the reuse rate of industrial wastewater in the factory and continuously reduces the consumption of new water.”

Aspiring to become the most reliable brand in the world with more than a century of brand heritage, Hisense is in continual pursuit of providing technological innovation to millions of families globally with high-quality products and bringing excellent experiences to people’s life.

About Hisense

Hisense is a leading global home appliance and consumer electronics brand. Hisense’s business covers multimedia products (with a focus on Smart TVs), home appliances, and IT intelligent information. Recently, Hisense has grown rapidly and is now operating in more than 160 countries.