How Chinese Companies Are Redefining the Game

(Shenzhen, February 27, 2025) At the 2025 International New Energy Industry Marketing Summit, Dr. Kun Liu, Chairman of Shenzhen Leagure Microelectronics, delivered a keynote speech titled “Global Photovoltaic and Energy Storage Intelligentization: Demand, Trends, and Solutions.” He unveiled a new dimension of competition in the photovoltaic (PV) industry. While global PV companies are trapped in price wars, he pointed out that a key breakthrough for Chinese enterprises lies in Power Line Communication (PLC) technology—an innovation that utilizes electrical wiring for data transmission, emerging as the “invisible battleground” reshaping industry rules.*

From "Hardware Competition" to "Data Connectivity": The Strategic Value of PLC Technology

“All intelligence starts with connectivity, and power lines are the natural data channels for new energy systems,” Dr. Liu emphasized. The value of PV systems lies not only in panel efficiency but also in power generation performance and safety monitoring capabilities. In the North American market, regulations mandate rapid shutdown functionality at the module level for distributed PV systems. PLC technology enables rapid current disconnection within seconds via power line communication, ensuring compliance with safety standards while eliminating additional wiring costs. Notably, PLC is the only technology standard option in the global PV rapid shutdown sector.

Leagure Microelectronics has developed PLC chips compliant with the SunSpec rapid shutdown standard, which have passed international certification and achieved large-scale deployment. Dr. Liu stated, “This not only solves safety concerns but also allows Chinese enterprises to gain a technological edge while meeting international standards.” As the global PV market shifts from “hardware accumulation” to “system intelligence,” communication connectivity has become a key competitive barrier.

Pictured: Dr. Liu Kun, Chairman of Leagure Microelectronics, delivered a speech at the 2025 International New Energy Industry Marketing Summit

22 Years of Technical Expertise: From Power Grids to Photovoltaics

PLC technology is not new. Dr. Liu recalled its evolution in China’s power systems: since the State Grid’s smart meter transformation began in 2008, PLC technology has been implemented in over 600 million devices, proving its reliability over 15 years. In a PV project in Thailand, an operation and maintenance (O&M) system utilizing PLC technology enabled “intelligent transformation without additional communication cabling,” ensuring precise fault detection.

This technological advantage is triggering a ripple effect. In the energy storage sector, traditional battery management systems (BMS) require extensive wiring, whereas PLC technology transmits data via power lines, significantly reducing internal cabling within storage cabinets. “Our clients have integrated PLC modules into inverters, energy storage devices, and even home energy management systems, creating an end-to-end data loop,” Dr. Liu revealed. The technology has also entered the automotive energy management sector, expanding its range of applications.

Strengthening Standardization Influence: From "Follower" to "Rule-Maker"

A global PV safety standards implementation map displayed during the presentation attracted attention: North America enforces module-level shutdown, Europe is advancing IEC certification systems, and Asia lacks unified standards. “This is not a technological gap but a lack of rule-making authority.”

Chinese enterprises are breaking this deadlock through a dual strategy: on one hand, Leagure Microelectronics has entered the North American market via SunSpec certification; on the other, its proposal for the “Application of Power Line Communication in Battery Management Systems” standard has been adopted by multiple Southeast Asian countries. The “technology adaptation + standards export” model is changing China’s role in the global industrial chain. Dr. Liu noted that in some international project bids, Chinese solutions incorporating PLC technology have already demonstrated premium pricing advantages. “The market is beginning to pay for system value.”

Figure: Leagure Microelectronics is the pioneer of high-speed PLC technology and chips in China

Figure: Leagure Microelectronics is the pioneer of high-speed PLC technology and chips in China

Ecosystem Restructuring: From "Product Manufacturing" to "System Empowerment"

The widespread adoption of PLC technology is reshaping industry ecosystems. Dr. Liu illustrated its impact with real-world examples:

PV Operations & Maintenance: PLC enables module-level monitoring, reducing O&M costs of ground-based PV plants by over 30%.

Energy Storage Systems: BMS wiring requirements are reduced by 70%, significantly lowering failure rates.

Home Energy Management: PV-storage-charging integrated systems use power lines for data exchange, allowing users to manage home green energy, optimize electricity consumption, and integrate with smart home and smart lighting scenarios.

“In the past decade, China’s PV industry conquered markets with scale; in the next decade, we must redefine industry rules through intelligence,” Dr. Liu urged the sector to shift toward system-level innovation. Leagure Microelectronics has already opened its PLC technology interface to upstream and downstream industry players, fostering a collaborative ecosystem that drives smart energy control upgrades.

Challenges in Implementation: Real-World Barriers to Adoption

Despite its promising future, Dr. Liu also highlighted the industry’s current challenges:

Standardization Lag: China has yet to introduce mandatory module-level shutdown regulations, requiring enterprises to proactively drive safety upgrades.

Technical Compatibility: Variations in national power environments demand higher stability in PLC communication.

He mentioned that some large-scale domestic projects have already adopted PLC-based intelligent solutions, following a “market-driven standardization” pathway. “True intelligence must be built on reliable data transmission and secure control architectures.” This principle aligns with the emphasis on technological reliability throughout his speech.

Figure: Liu Kun, chairman of Leagure Microelectronics, shows the demand for photovoltaic intelligence

Conclusion: The Silent Revolution Within Power Lines

As the presentation concluded, Dr. Liu called on the industry: “When power lines begin transmitting data, it changes not just the way we connect, but the very DNA of the industry.” This silent revolution driven by PLC technology is rewriting the playbook for China’s new energy expansion—shifting from price wars to value competition, and from following standards to shaping them. Amid the global energy transformation driven by carbon neutrality goals, Leagure Microelectronics’ innovations signal a deeper industry shift: companies that master the core technology of this “invisible battleground” will hold the power to define the rules of the smart energy era.

Footnote:
The 2025 International New Energy Industry Marketing Summit and the inaugural release of the "2025 China New Energy Industry Chain Core Competitiveness White Paper" were successfully held on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at the Shenzhen Guangming Cloud Valley International Conference Center. Hosted by Yeehai Global—a client-renowned digital marketing agency specializing in overseas markets—and co-organized by its resource platform China Exportsemi, the summit aimed to provide Chinese new energy enterprises with global expansion guidance, foster business collaboration platforms, and facilitate discussions on cutting-edge trends and commercial opportunities in the global new energy industry.