After the Solar & Storage Live show in Birmingham this September, Solar&StorageXtra caught up with Wenyan Sharp, UK Marketing Director for SolaX Power.
Wenyan provided a retrospective on the show, what trends and challenges are on the company’s radar, and shared an intriguing case study that hit close to home.
“Households and businesses alike are feeling pressure from high energy costs. As a renewable energy product manufacturer, we need to find the best ways to save money for everyone.”
Interview with Wenyan Sharp, UK Marketing Director for SolaX Power
Xtra: What are Solar Power’s key drivers, and how is the company responding to changes in the solar market?
Wenyan: Our key drivers are technology and innovation. We’re focused on advancing our products, and we have a large R&D team – over 600 people – based across four sites in China.
These include our headquarters in Hangzhou, as well as locations in Shenzhen, Suzhou, and Xi’an. Each site specialises in different aspects of renewable product innovation.
We are also always looking for the latest technologies and actively collaborate with institutions to gain insights from their research labs.
Xtra: What industry trends and challenges do you think are currently shaping the market?
Wenyan: I think it’s primarily driven by market demand, the push for sustainability, and, of course, price sensitivity.
Households and businesses alike are feeling pressure from high energy costs. As a renewable energy product manufacturer, we need to find the best ways to save money for everyone.
Material and shipping costs have been significant, especially post-COVID, along with increased energy prices. We’re addressing these by finding ways to save costs for families – like using virtual power plants to help optimise battery storage and energy usage.
Our aim is not only to help people save money but, ideally, to earn it as well.
Government policies also impact (the industry), but it’s promising to see the new UK Labour government continuing to support renewables – which is a big help for companies like ours.
Xtra: You recently presented an important case study to the industry, highlighting the individual benefits of solar and storage. Can you go more in-depth into the topic?
Wenyan: Recently I was part of a panel discussion on how renewable products can help reduce costs. I presented a case study close to my heart: my own home.
We installed solar panels and battery storage in February. Before doing that, we owed about £384 on our energy bill with Octopus Energy. Now, thanks to the system, we’ve not only cleared that debt but are also £700 in credit. This includes charging my Tesla every night!
Every morning, we check to see how much we’ve saved. It’s also added value to our property since these systems increase EPC ratings.
Xtra: Could you tell me about the specific products or innovations you showcased at Solar & Storage Live in Birmingham?
Wenyan: At Solar & Storage Live, we primarily showcased our commercial battery storage solutions. If you visited our stand, you may have seen the two large battery storage units, which are designed for commercial use.
Some businesses use these to save on energy costs, while property investors in the UK are increasingly looking at these as a new type of investment: creating battery storage farms.
We also introduced a smaller, AI-enabled system, highlighting our focus on advanced technology and the integration of AI into our products.
Xtra: Overall, how would you describe SolaX’s experience at the show?
Wenyan: The experience was very positive. (The show is) important for brand awareness: helping us expose our brand and show people who we are.
Although we have a large presence in the UK many people still think of us as a Chinese manufacturer and assume that, if there’s an issue, they’ll need to contact someone in China with a seven or eight-hour time difference.
At the show, we highlighted that we have a UK headquarters in Warwickshire with a team dedicated to sales, after-sales, and engineering support. This on-the-ground presence gives our customers peace of mind and confidence in our service.
Xtra: How beneficial is Solar & Storage Live for networking in the industry?
Wenyan: Shows like Solar & Storage Live are essential for companies like ours. They offer a platform to showcase what we do and educate people about renewable technology.
Although it’s mainly an industry event, we reach the public indirectly through media and social channels.
In addition, it allows us to offer free training for installers to ensure quality installation, which builds trust in our products.
Missed out on Solar & Storage Live, or want to come back for more? Don’t miss the Barcelona edition from 13-14 November.
