JA Solar expands into energy storage with new subsidiary

As PV manufacturers continue to bleed red ink, major players are accelerating their push into energy storage. On Dec. 12, JA Solar formally established a dedicated energy storage subsidiary – Beijing JA Solar Energy Storage Technology Co., Ltd. – with registered capital of RMB 300 million.

According to business information platform Tianyancha, the new subsidiary will focus on R&D in emerging energy technologies, energy storage technology services, manufacturing of new energy power equipment, and related sales. Shareholder records show the company is wholly owned by JA Solar Energy Co., Ltd., itself a subsidiary of JA Solar Technology.

The move builds on a series of energy storage initiatives announced in recent months. In early November, JA Solar officially launched its “JA Energy Storage” brand and unveiled a suite of new storage solutions in Santiago, Chile, strengthening its overseas presence. That same month, the company signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Cornex, covering joint R&D as well as supply and sales of key energy storage products, including overseas DC-side systems, outdoor cabinets, and batteries.

Since entering the energy storage market in 2022, JA Solar has developed a full-spectrum product lineup spanning residential (BlueStar), commercial and industrial (BluePlanet), and utility-scale (BlueGalaxy) applications. The company also supplies DC-side systems, outdoor cabinets, and batteries for both domestic and international markets, forming an integrated ecosystem encompassing R&D, manufacturing, sales, and supply chain operations.

At SNEC 2025, JA Solar unveiled its latest smart energy storage platform, JAGalaxy 4.0. Based on 500 Ah-plus high-capacity cells, the system delivers up to 7.8 MWh per 20-foot container, boosting volumetric energy density by nearly 40% and significantly improving space utilization and project economics. The system offers a cycle life exceeding 12,000 cycles. In addition, the company also showcased its expanding portfolio of sodium-ion battery products at the event.

JA Solar is not alone in intensifying its push into energy storage. Rivals including JinkoSolar, Trina Solar, and Canadian Solar are also expanding rapidly, while China’s largest PV manufacturer, LONGi, has most recently secured 62% voting control of fast-growing storage integrator PotisEdge, as solar manufacturers seek to offset shrinking margins in their core PV businesses.

While some peers have moved faster in establishing an overseas storage footprint – particularly in Europe – JA Solar announced its first commercial and industrial (C&I) battery storage project in Italy earlier this month. Located in Sicily, the project combines 3.2 MW of existing solar capacity, 2 MW of newly installed PV, and a 2.61 MWh battery energy storage system, aiming to maximize renewable self-consumption, enhance energy resilience, and significantly reduce both energy costs and carbon emissions.