JA Solar is strengthening its footprint in Latin America with a strategy focused on the integration of high-efficiency solar modules and battery energy storage systems (BESS), positioning itself as a comprehensive solutions provider for the region’s energy transition.
With the recent launch of JA Energy Storage, the China-based multinational unveiled a tailored regional offering designed to speed up the execution of hybrid renewable energy projects, unlock grid congestion issues and meet the increasingly demanding technical requirements of major Latin American markets.
“We now have a business that combines solar panels and energy storage systems. This means we can transfer our know-how to batteries and apply our large-scale photovoltaic expertise to the BESS segment,” said Víctor Soares, Head of the LATAM Technical Team at JA Solar, during an in-depth interview at the Future Energy Summit (FES) Chile.
This strategic shift responds to a growing need across Latin America for integrated renewable energy solutions that account for each country’s specific technical, regulatory and climatic conditions. JA Solar is working alongside leading global manufacturers to deliver BESS solutions with local technical support, adapted to grid connectivity, control systems and performance standards in each market.
The company currently has 30 GWh of active energy storage production, mainly targeting countries such as Chile, Brazil, Colombia and Argentina, where battery energy storage is becoming a key component of long-term power system planning.
JA Solar’s objective is to deliver more efficient and bankable projects by leveraging its extensive track record in solar PV generation and integrating that experience into energy storage applications.
Alongside its push into storage, JA Solar continues to innovate in solar module development tailored to Latin America’s diverse climate conditions, including high solar irradiation, elevated temperatures, humidity and dust.
In this context, Soares highlighted the company’s ongoing improvements in TOPCon technology, as well as specific design features such as “a front glass layer that is less vulnerable to dust accumulation and an anti-dust system engineered to maximize performance in arid environments.”
“On the battery side, temperature is also a critical factor. For BESS projects, it is essential to consider design-specific requirements related to certifications, control systems, degradation profiles, customized operating curves and grid connection standards in order to achieve an optimized project,” he explained.
Local presence as a competitive advantage
A key strategic asset for JA Solar is its strong local presence across multiple Latin American countries, enabling close alignment between technical, commercial and logistics teams and the specific needs of each market.
“We have commercial, technical, logistics and marketing teams in different countries to facilitate knowledge exchange and identify which products are best suited for each region,” said Soares. This regional network allows continuous learning and faster adaptation to local regulations and operating conditions.
Within this knowledge-sharing framework, Chile stands out as a regional benchmark. The country currently operates 1,850 MW of BESS capacity and is expected to surpass 2 GW by January 2026.
The growth of the storage segment is even more evident when looking at the project pipeline. According to industry data, Chile has:
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456 MW (1,658 MWh) in testing phase
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6,373 MW (27,585 MWh) under construction
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8,431 MW (40,987 MWh) undergoing environmental assessment
A comprehensive supplier for the energy transition
Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Shanghai, JA Solar has become one of the most influential players in the global solar industry. The company manufactures wafers, cells, modules and photovoltaic plants, and in 2023 was recognized as the world’s largest solar module supplier by shipment volume, according to InfoLink and PV Tech. To date, JA Solar has delivered more than 300 GW of cumulative installed capacity worldwide.
By incorporating BESS solutions into its portfolio, JA Solar is taking another step toward becoming a fully integrated renewable energy provider. The combination of high-efficiency solar PV modules, advanced energy storage systems, local technical support and regulatory compliance positions the company with a compelling value proposition for Latin American markets—one aimed at accelerating the energy transition with practical, market-ready solutions.
Watch the full interview with Víctor Soares (JA Solar) at Future Energy Summit Chile: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r74uh7FP5Zw
