Sungrow Renewables launches Smart Module at 2026 Intelligence Technology Conference
Sungrow Renewables unveiled the world’s first self-developed high-efficiency smart PV module.
On 1 June, Sungrow Renewables held its 2026 Intelligent Technology Conference in Shanghai and unveiled its new iBuilding BIPV 2.0 power plant solution, officially introducing the world’s first self-developed high-efficiency smart PV module. The Sungrow Smart Module is no longer merely a passive power generation device — it has evolved into the “strongest heart” of power plants, capable of perception, intelligent analysis, and autonomous decision-making.
Global debut of Sungrow Smart Module: building the “strongest heart” of power plants
The highlight of this conference was undoubtedly the newly launched 5S Sungrow Smart Module. Built on the design philosophy of “More Power, More Protection”, the Sungrow Smart Module deeply integrates power electronics, materials science, AI algorithms, and other core technologies. Featuring five intelligent capabilities — self-diagnosis, self-RSD, self-cleaning, self-cooling, and self-logging — it represents a transformative leap from passive power generation units to active intelligent terminals.
The self-diagnosis capability utilises high-precision chips embedded within Sungrow Renewables’ brand-new, self-developed module controller to collect real-time, multi-dimensional data including voltage, current, and temperature from every module. AI-powered analytics enable precise diagnostics and fault localisation, allowing anomalies to be detected within milliseconds.
The self-RSD capability delivers industry-leading dual-layer safety protection at both module and plant levels. It fundamentally mitigates electrical fire risks before they escalate. During module failures, faulty modules autonomously disconnect while ensuring normal power generation for the remaining modules within the string, preserving energy yield that would otherwise be lost. Under extreme scenarios, total plant voltage can be reduced to human-safe levels within 25 seconds.
Self-logging creates an independent digital identity for each module through an electronic passport system, automatically recording carbon footprint data, health metrics, operational logs, and lifecycle information. These trusted datasets provide robust support for refined plant operation and asset valuation.
Self-cleaning and self-cooling technologies combine nano-scale hydrophilic surface treatment with the world’s first “SilverAnt” cooling technology, delivering a comprehensive power generation improvement of approximately 6%.
At the event, the international certification organisation TÜV SÜD awarded Sungrow Renewables the world’s first certification for high-efficiency smart modules. Vice president of TÜV SÜD Greater China, Hurry Xu, commented: “The Sungrow Smart Module demonstrates unique technological advantages and delivers systematic breakthroughs spanning precise diagnostics, proactive safety, and lifecycle data-driven optimised value creation. It fully embodies the philosophy of ‘More Power, More Protection’ and marks the beginning of a new era of smart modules.”
Industry’s first smart module classification system defines future development path
During the conference, Sungrow Renewables jointly released the White Paper on Smart PV Module Technologies with TÜV SÜD and the Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Institute, proposing the industry’s first smart module classification standard and providing a clear framework for the development and application of smart modules.
The classification standard evaluates modules across dimensions including intelligence level, functional completeness, technology maturity, and application adaptability, categorising smart modules into four levels from L1 to L4. It clearly defines capability boundaries and value propositions for each level while filling a long-standing gap in smart module evaluation standards.
L1 — Perceptive Intelligence: Module-level monitoring with self-cooling and self-cleaning capabilities
L2 — Active Safety Intelligence: Active protection with diagnostics, shutdown, and traceability
L3 — Collaborative Intelligence: Collaborative optimisation across generation and maintenance
L4 — Autonomous Intelligence: Autonomous decision-making across PV, storage, and loads
The newly released Sungrow Smart Module is the world’s first product to achieve the L2 Proactive Safety Intelligence standard. Xu Chun, general secretary of the Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Institute and the Global Industrial AI Alliance Centre of Excellence, stated: “The L1–L4 classification standards establish a clear technology roadmap that will guide collaborative innovation across the industry chain, transforming isolated corporate breakthroughs into industry-wide consensus and accelerating intelligent transformation throughout the PV sector.”
From physical integration to system value creation: redefining the logic of PV value
Unlike conventional module innovation, which often focuses on isolated hardware optimisation, Sungrow Renewables starts from the power plant itself and works systematically to define module capabilities. This represents not merely product innovation, but a shift from physical integration towards system value creation.
For years, the PV industry has pursued maximum power output and larger form factors, often overlooking lifecycle value and plant-level collaboration. The traditional mindset of optimising modules in isolation has frequently led to gaps between laboratory performance and real-world plant operation, while challenges in safety, operations and maintenance (O&M) efficiency, and asset preservation continue to emerge.
Sungrow Renewables’ answer is to transform modules from passive adapters into active enablers — defining module capabilities based on real-world plant requirements. Supported by its dedicated PV technology team and the Cube Technology Platform, Sungrow Renewables translates power plant challenges into module innovation targets, creating smart modules deeply aligned with plant requirements. Driven by full lifecycle thinking, the Sungrow Smart Module evolves beyond passive hardware into intelligent terminals capable of actively enhancing system value — ensuring “More Power, More Protection” throughout the plant lifecycle.
“We have always adhered to a ‘user mindset’ and ‘systematic thinking’. We build better plants with modules that better understand plants, realising our core value of empowering customers,” said Zhang Xucheng, chairman of Sungrow Renewables. The Sungrow Smart Module is first deployed within self-developed projects, creating a closed-loop ecosystem of plant application, issue identification, technology accumulation, hardware iteration, and continuous feedback into plant optimisation.
According to Shen Wenzhong, honorary chairman of the Shanghai Solar Energy Society, Sungrow Renewables’ new paradigm of “power plants defining modules” moves away from the traditional one-way model of “manufacturers build modules, and plants adapt to them.” Instead, it shifts industry competition from hardware specifications towards system intelligence and full lifecycle value creation, providing a new pathway for scenario-driven and system-integrated innovation.
As PV value shifts from physical integration towards system value creation, the industry’s value framework is being fundamentally redefined. Looking ahead, Sungrow Renewables will continue leveraging its expertise in power plant development and operation to accelerate smart module innovation, strengthen collaborative technological advancement across the value chain, and drive higher-quality growth throughout the renewable energy industry.