Under the strategy, solar provides cheap generation, batteries will handle short-term balancing, while hydrogen acts as the long-duration regulator that stabilises the wider energy system.

“Solar is the creator of clean energy, energy storage is the stabiliser of the power system, and hydrogen is the regulator that balances it all,” explained Dennis She, Longi’s Vice President.

Longi’s new utility-scale battery energy storage product will sit alongside its existing alkaline electrolyser range.  The turnkey lithium-ion solution is aimed at developers and utilities.

The company said the system is designed to help electrolysers operate more efficiently and flexibly when paired with renewable power.

Longi signed a deal to integrate PotisEdge’s safety architecture with LONGi’s own control systems.

The storage solution is expected to be deployed in the UK, Germany, Italy, and Spain first.

She added, “Europe’s urgent need for energy transition and its mature market mechanisms provide an ideal platform for practising integrated ‘Solar-Storage-Hydrogen’ solutions.”

Longi is also establishing a Solar-Storage Technology Innovation Centre in Europe to support customers with training, O&M services and project consulting.

The Chinese OEM is looking to establish a footprint in Europe, which has so far looked to protect its homegrown OEMs, often valuing installation and operation expertise over low capex.