A New Logic of Endogenous Growth for the Photovoltaic Industry in the 15th Five-Year Plan Period: Inclusive Penetration Integrated into Urban–Rural Governance

In the inaugural year of the 15th Five-Year Plan, the photovoltaic industry is undergoing a profound transformation. With the implementation of the guiding principles set forth in the “Recommendations of the CPC Central Committee on Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development” — hereinafter referred to as the “Recommendations” — Photovoltaic application scenarios are rapidly expanding from traditional industrial sectors (B‑side) into the residential sector (C‑side) and the public sector (G‑side). This trend not only reflects the deepening energy transition but also signals that a green, low‑carbon lifestyle is set to become the new norm across society. Policy statements such as “accelerating the development of a green, low‑carbon lifestyle” and “removing restrictive regulations that hinder the adoption of new‑energy vehicles, green appliances, and other sustainable products” provide clear policy guidance and market expectations for the diversified applications of the photovoltaic industry.

Under the guidance of macro policies, The market boundaries of the photovoltaic industry are being redefined. In its response to the proposal on promoting high-quality development of photovoltaic new energy, the National Energy Administration explicitly stated that it will “actively advance high‑standard design, construction, and operation of building‑integrated photovoltaics,” and, in the course of revising the Renewable Energy Law, will “continue to steadfastly support the vigorous development of renewable energy, including building‑integrated photovoltaics.” These policy signals not only underscore the trend of photovoltaics expanding into residential and public sectors but also, at the institutional level, remove barriers to the diversification of photovoltaic application scenarios.

I. Top-Level Strategy: From an Energy Production Revolution to a Green Consumption Revolution

The “15th Five-Year Plan” places “accelerating the development of a green and low-carbon lifestyle” at its core, marking a shift in the nation’s carbon‑reduction strategy from… Supply side (vigorous development of wind and solar power bases) To Demand side (promoting green consumption across society) Deepening. This fundamental shift has provided the most essential policy legitimacy for photovoltaic energy to enter ordinary households and public life.

• The Guiding Principles of the “Proposal” The requirement in the document to “remove restrictive regulations that impede the promotion of new‑energy vehicles, green home appliances, and other products” serves as a powerful mandate to dismantle barriers—covering market access, grid‑connection approvals, and standards certification—that currently hinder the development of emerging sectors such as distributed photovoltaics, solar‑storage‑charging systems, and building‑integrated photovoltaics (BIPV). This signals a shift in policy from mere “encouragement” to “mandatory removal of obstacles,” thereby creating the institutional framework necessary for a market boom.

II. Core Scenario One: The “Solar–Storage–Charging” Integration as the Policy Logic Behind Urban New Infrastructure

The rise of integrated “photovoltaic‑storage‑charging” systems is an inevitable outcome of the convergence of multiple national strategies, with a clearly discernible policy‑driven chain:

1. An inevitable extension of the transportation electrification strategy : As the number of new-energy vehicles has become a national strategic achievement, The State Council and various ministries have issued a series of documents, calling for the establishment of a “high-quality charging infrastructure system.” This has directly given rise to an urgent need to expand and green the charging network.
2. Micro-level levers for building a new-type power system The “Implementation Opinions on Accelerating the Development of Charging Infrastructure to Better Support New Energy Vehicles in Rural Areas and Rural Revitalization,” jointly issued by the National Energy Administration and several other departments, along with subsequent supporting policies, explicitly encourages… V2G (Vehicle-to-Grid), smart and orderly charging, and coordinated solar–storage–charging systems Emerging technological models aim to transform the massive charging load from a “burden on the grid” into a “flexible regulatory resource.”
3. Designated scenarios for the integrated development of coal and new energy : In its “Guiding Opinions on Promoting the Integrated Development of Coal and New Energy,” the National Energy Administration, It explicitly calls for the deployment of integrated “photovoltaic–storage–charging–discharging” stations in coal-mining areas and other regions. This policy signal carries significant weight, elevating “photovoltaic‑storage‑charging” from a market‑driven option to a cornerstone of the regional transformation of traditional energy systems. Standard infrastructure , setting a policy benchmark for nationwide promotion.

Policy Outlook Under the aforementioned policy framework, in G‑sector procurement—such as urban development standards and the upgrading and renovation of highway service areas—the integrated “photovoltaic‑storage‑charging” solution will transition from a “demonstration project” to a “standard option.”

III. Core Scenario II: The Regulatory Pathway for BIPV and Municipal Renovation to Become the City’s “Skin”

The large-scale deployment of BIPV (Building‑Integrated Photovoltaics) and photovoltaic municipal infrastructure is driven primarily by the government’s mandatory “low‑carbon” policies in the urban and rural construction sectors.

1. Tightening of Mandatory Policies on Building Energy Efficiency and Carbon Emissions : Continuously promoted by the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development and the National Development and Reform Commission Ultra-low-energy and nearly zero-energy building demonstration projects , and what may in the future be Building carbon emissions Incorporating green power generation into the mandatory assessment framework has transformed it from a “bonus” to an “essential requirement” for buildings themselves. The National Energy Administration has explicitly stated that it will… Promote high-standard design, construction, and operation of building-integrated photovoltaics. “This has paved the way for BIPV to be incorporated into building design and acceptance standards.”
2. The Green Dimensions of Urban Renewal and Rural Revitalization Initiatives The 15th Five-Year Plan emphasizes low-carbon transformation in the field of urban and rural development. This means that, in… Renovation of old residential communities, upgrading of municipal infrastructure, and development of beautiful countryside. In government-led G‑segment projects, Photovoltaic streetlights, photovoltaic noise barriers, photovoltaic carports Such applications will serve as a tangible embodiment of “low-carbon” and “green” principles, gaining widespread inclusion in public procurement lists. Although relevant policy documents do not explicitly name them, their underlying spirit effectively creates a substantial institutional market for these types of products.

3. Deepening and Standardizing County-Wide Photovoltaic Pilot Programs : Following the initial pilot program for “county-wide rooftop distributed photovoltaics,” which explored business models and installation standards, During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, the focus will shift to “standardization” and “high-quality promotion.” Local standards, such as the “Technical Standard for Building‑Integrated Photovoltaics” currently being developed across various regions, will transform BIPV from a customized product into a standardized building material, seamlessly integrating the entire value chain—from design and permitting to grid connection.

Policy Outlook By deeply integrating photovoltaic technology into building codes and municipal standards, BIPV will transition from a “specialized product” to an “ordinary building material,” becoming the default “skin” of low‑carbon cities.

In summary, during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, the photovoltaic industry’s penetration into both the consumer (C‑end) and government (G‑end) sectors represents a growth trajectory shaped and propelled by a clear policy framework. The state, through… Building a green lifestyle (creating demand), removing institutional barriers (clearing obstacles), and integrating into urban and rural development standards (creating markets) Its three-step strategy has systematically paved the way for the explosive growth of the two major application scenarios: “PV‑storage‑charging” and “BIPV.”

The opportunity for businesses lies not in speculating about whether certain trends will materialize, but in precisely aligning with the policy framework and proactively preparing—through technological R&D, product standardization, and strategic market deployment—to seize this inclusive green‑energy revolution driven by national‑level strategy.