Episode 5 of Energy Matters took viewers behind the scenes of one of the solar industry’s biggest players—GoodWe. With host Roshan Ramnarain on the ground in Suzhou, China, we explored the tech, talent, and tenacity driving GoodWe’s global clean energy success. From rooftop gardens to robotic quality control systems, this episode was a masterclass in how solar gear is made—and how a company can walk the talk on sustainability.
Behind the scenes of solar innovation
Roshan’s visit to GoodWe’s Suzhou headquarters wasn’t your average factory tour. What he discovered was a shining example of what happens when cutting-edge tech meets climate-conscious thinking.
Welcomed by the GoodWe team, including John Wright, Cameal, Dr Pan, and Lance, Roshan was given a full-access tour of their state-of-the-art facilities. It began at the company’s striking 22-storey HQ building, home to sales, marketing, R&D and executive teams. But this wasn’t just another high-rise—it was a living, breathing sustainability showcase.
One-third of the building was covered in living plants to regulate temperature, purify air, and reduce urban heat. Vertical photovoltaic modules, using GoodWe’s own Stellar series, wrapped the facade. These modules weren’t limited by tilt angles and made the most of sunlight from all directions. In some areas, CdTe-based thin film solar was integrated into curtain walls, offering high efficiency even in low light.
The building also featured “breathing curtain walls”—double-glazed glass with a ventilation layer in between. This smart design helped keep things cool in summer and warm in winter, all while reducing energy use. Even the carports were solar-powered, thanks to the GoodWe Polaris system.
The show didn’t stop at impressive architecture. Roshan toured the Suzhou and Guangde manufacturing plants, where GoodWe builds everything in-house—from inverters and batteries to EV chargers, BIPV materials, and software systems. GoodWe’s production scale is staggering:
- Over 1.2 million inverters produced annually, with a capacity of 35GW
- Around 730,000 batteries are produced each year, with 3.9GWh production capacity
- 250MW of building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) made annually
- Future expansions underway to double their Guangde factory size
At the Suzhou plant, high-power inverters were being assembled—including the flagship ETC, BTC, HT and SMT series—while the Guangde facility handles smaller models and storage products.
Quality control, the GoodWe way
One standout moment was Roshan’s walk-through of GoodWe’s quality control process, which rivalled that of high-end tech companies. Every component—90% of which came from global top 500 companies—underwent sample inspection to ISO 9001 standards. Any item falling short was instantly excluded.
Every inverter was barcoded and tracked via ERP and MES systems, ensuring full traceability. The process included:
- In-circuit PCBA testing
- Insulation and leakage tests
- Six-hour humidity and heat stress testing at 50°C
- ATS simulation testing to mimic real-world conditions
The factory’s “lights-out” automation system combined tote robots, automated picking, and high-precision SMT machines capable of placing 86,000 components per hour with pinpoint accuracy. The ERSA soldering system added another layer of excellence—real-time oxygen monitoring optimised nitrogen use, cutting environmental impact.
Who is GoodWe?
If you’ve only heard of GoodWe from their solar inverters, prepare to be impressed. Founded in 2010 by CEO Daniel Huang, the company has grown from a handful of engineers to 5,000+ employees across 27 countries. In 2023, they hit a turnover of $1.5 billion AUD and surpassed 71GW in total product installations in over 100 countries.
Their commitment to clean energy isn’t just in their products, it’s in their practices. GoodWe earned a Silver Medal from EcoVadis in 2022, placing them in the top 14% of companies globally for Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) performance. Solar panels on their HQ and Guangde buildings generate over 3.3 million kWh annually, cutting 2,670 tonnes of CO₂.
Their R&D department, led by Dr Pan, is the heartbeat of innovation. With over 1,000 team members across four locations, GoodWe reinvests 8% of revenue into R&D—a hefty commitment by industry standards. Their Solar Academy opens the doors to education, offering knowledge-sharing platforms for industry professionals and enthusiasts alike.
Cultural investment is big, too. Team-building and a tight-knit workplace culture help fuel the creativity behind GoodWe’s world-leading products.
Gold standard of renewable energy manufacturing
This episode of Energy Matters painted a powerful picture of a company doing more than selling solar tech—they’re building a better way forward. From sustainable skyscrapers to top-tier quality control, GoodWe’s blend of innovation, ethics, and energy sets a gold standard for clean tech manufacturers worldwide.
As Roshan wrapped up his tour, the message was clear: the future of solar is already here, and companies like GoodWe are leading the charge.
