The energy storage market is experiencing unprecedented growth, driven by the need to make renewable generation more flexible and reduce costs. Within this landscape, Jinko Solar positions itself as a key player with a strong commitment to in-house cell manufacturing and the development of more efficient solutions.

“This year will be crucial for the industry, and price trends reflect the efforts to achieve more competitive systems,” stated Lucía Dólera, Business Development Manager for utility-scale energy storage systems in Europe at Jinko Solar, during the Storage, Renewable and Electric Vehicle Integration Forum.

The company has focused its strategy on optimizing manufacturing processes and developing proprietary technology, enabling it to reduce CAPEX and increase the flexibility of its products.

RELIVE THE EVENT

The first event of the year by Strategic Energy Corp was a two-part virtual session, co-organized with Mobility Portal Europe and Strategic Energy Europe. Strategic Energy Corp partnered with the Future Energy Summit (FES) to host this meeting, as FES is the leading platform for renewable energy discussions in Spanish-speaking countries.

Notably, on June 24, the third edition of FES Iberia 2025 will take place at Colegio Caminos (Betancourt Auditorium, C. de Almagro, 42, Chamberí) in Madrid. (Relive the previous edition here). The event will feature companies such as Iberdrola, Nextracker, Engie, Grenergy, Statkraft, Acciona Energía, Red Eléctrica, and EDP Renováveis, alongside key representatives from Spain’s regional governments and Latin America. Key discussion topics will include solar and wind energy, energy storage, green hydrogen, distributed generation, PPAs, auctions, and new projects.

What is expected in terms of pricing?

Regarding energy storage costs, Dólera explains that the price reduction trend will be moderate compared to previous years. “Recently, storage costs have decreased significantly. However, in the coming months, the reduction will be more stable and not as pronounced,” she detailed.

Currently, battery prices range from $83 to $90 per kWh on the DC side, depending on the project’s scale. “We are not going to see a drastic drop to $50 per kWh in the short term, but we can expect prices to remain around $80 per kWh, always depending on economies of scale,” explained Dólera.

Factors such as the incorporation of recycled materials, the implementation of new technologies, and improvements in manufacturing processes are enabling this cost optimization. “The key is to continue advancing in efficiency and flexibility to make storage increasingly competitive,” she added.

Storage trends: Technological innovation and new materials

The energy storage sector is evolving rapidly. Currently, various technologies exist, but Jinko Solar’s representative pointed out that the EFP technology, also known as EON, is the one that best meets market needs for grid services, secondary and tertiary markets, and auxiliary services such as energy arbitrage and big saving.

“This stationary technology meets all expectations in terms of investment and performance. That’s why at Jinko Solar, 100% of our offers are based on this solution,” Dólera explained.

Regarding new alternatives, she highlighted that sodium is being researched as a potential option. “Sodium is much cheaper than lithium, so it will certainly be of interest, but for now, it remains in the laboratory phase.”

The application of artificial intelligence and advanced software is enabling greater flexibility in battery system operations. “Energy storage is increasingly leveraging AI to optimize management and improve operational efficiency,” Dólera emphasized.

Utility-scale: The future of large-scale storage

Aligned with this sector evolution, Dólera underscores the importance of rapidly advancing the implementation of storage solutions, particularly in utility-scale and C&I (Commercial and Industrial) segments.

However, she warns that the utility-scale market is highly competitive and rapidly evolving. “Those who are not already positioned in utility-scale will face difficulties entering in the coming years. The sector’s growth resembles the solar boom of 2007-2008,” she explained.

She also noted that the commercial and industrial segment is much more agile and faster, as permitting is already completed, access points are granted, and storage solutions can be implemented more quickly.

To consolidate sector growth, a clear regulatory framework, solid planning, and priority market participation are essential. “We need incentives and a defined capacity market. Additionally, hybrid solar-plus-storage plants should be considered as manageable systems without losing market priority,” she stressed.

“We have that PNIEC target of 22 GW by 2030, and we have a lot to do in utility-scale regarding lithium-ion technology. It is crucial to have that capacity market defined as soon as possible, published in the BOE, and for PEO 12.2 to clearly outline our market participation in a technically clear manner,” she added.

Despite these challenges, the outlook remains optimistic. “The battery is ready. If we have a good regulatory framework, we, as manufacturers, will adjust CAPEX. Everything is aligned for storage to be a key pillar in the energy transition,” Dólera concluded.

Jinko Solar’s storage products

Jinko Solar has developed a range of energy storage solutions tailored to different market segments. In the commercial and industrial (C&I) sector, its 215 kWh plug-and-play system has been well received. “It is an all-in-one solution with 100 kW of power, operating at 400 volts, allowing nearly 100% of industrial machinery in Europe to connect,” Dólera said.

For utility-scale, Jinko Solar offers storage systems ranging from 3.44 to 5 MWh, with a roadmap to reach up to 7 MWh in the short term. “We are designing solutions with 6 to 8 hours of autonomy, adapting to market trends,” she noted. The company already offers up to 2 MW solutions for industrial zones requiring higher energy capacity.

The success of these products is reflected in their rapid deployment in Spain, Romania, the UK, and the Netherlands, where the company already operates several gigawatts of storage capacity.

Storage and solar: A strategic alliance

Energy storage has become an essential complement to photovoltaics. According to Dólera, more than 90% of projects in Europe already integrate storage from the design phase.

“All photovoltaic deployment, whether operational or in development, is demanding storage solutions. The trend is clear: solar and storage go hand in hand,” she explained.

This integration not only allows for more efficient energy management but also enhances grid stability and optimizes the use of renewable resources. “The goal is to ensure that renewable intermittency is not a barrier but an opportunity to improve grid stability and develop new business models,” the executive emphasized.

Regarding solar panel prices, Dólera confirmed that the trend remains downward, although reductions will no longer be as pronounced as in previous years. “Over the last two years, solar panel costs have dropped by more than 50%. Currently, the trend is still declining, but we will no longer see such abrupt decreases,” she explained.