The Myanmar Power and Solar Energy Storage Lighting Expo 2026 at the Yangon Convention Center drew a hoard of visitors. - Xinhua
YANGON: Under the bright lights of Yangon's exhibition halls, rows of solar panels, inverters, and energy storage systems glint with promise, reflecting China's growing role in Myanmar's quest for reliable electricity.
The Myanmar Power and Solar Energy Storage Lighting Expo 2026 opened on Friday (Jan 16), attracting industry leaders, installers, and ordinary consumers seeking solutions to the country's power shortages.
Organised by Myanmar DPES Exhibition Co, Ltd, the three-day event features over 70 exhibitors representing 77 brands. Most displays highlight Chinese-made products, underscoring China's major role in Myanmar's expanding renewable energy market.
Leading Chinese companies, including Livoltek, Growatt, Skyworth, Absen, GoodWe, and Sigenergy, are showcasing systems tailored to local conditions. On display are inverters, batteries, solar panels, battery storage systems, electric vehicle chargers, solar streetlights, and solar-powered water pumps.
Roc Dong, country manager of Livoltek Myanmar, said the company entered the market in 2024, targeting both households and industries.
"We provide solar solutions for homes and industries," he said, noting that inverters and batteries are the company's best-selling products.
"For commercial users, solar helps replace diesel generators and reduce operating costs. Stable power supply is the main reason customers switch to solar energy."
Livoltek supports users through local service centers and round-the-clock technical assistance in cooperation with local partners. Dong expressed confidence in Myanmar's long-term solar potential, citing growing public awareness and advances in Chinese technology.
"We are not only supplying products, but also sharing technical knowledge and training local people," he said, suggesting that local assembly and manufacturing could become a future trend as the market matures.
That shift is already beginning. Sai Phyo Aung, sales and operations manager of New Stellar Energy MM Co, Ltd, said the company has planned to assemble solar products locally under a semi-knocked-down (SKD) model, using components imported from China.
"We will assemble the products here and conduct quality control locally," he said. New Stellar Energy, Myanmar's first solar SKD factory, entered the market in 2024 and is constructing a factory in Naypyidaw, aiming to start pilot production in the first quarter of 2026.
Local assembly, Sai Phyo Aung explained, will help stabilise prices and improve after-sales service, especially for household users.
"Consumers benefit from better prices, quality, and support," he said.
Beyond businesses, the expo draws many citizens searching for practical solutions to power disruptions.
Daw Malar, 60, a Yangon resident, visited to find durable solar panels to complement her home inverter.
"I want to reduce my use of traditional electricity," she said, planning to power her air conditioning and water heating with solar. Like many consumers, she relies on Chinese-made products.
Ko Zin, 53, also from Yangon, said this was his third solar exhibition. After installing solar equipment at home, he explored options for a new shop.
"It works well. Solar panels are necessary because of power cuts," he said.
For older residents, the benefits are immediate. U Than Aung, 69, an attorney, uses solar power mainly for lighting during outages. "Reliable light is very important," he said.
The expo also serves as a learning platform for installers and technicians. U Zaw Win Maung, a Yangon-based solar installer, said, "Coming here gave me valuable knowledge about solar products. When good-quality solar products are used, solar energy works very well. I am already using solar products myself."
As global attention increasingly turns toward clean energy, the Myanmar Power and Solar Energy Storage Lighting Expo 2026 highlights how Chinese solar technology is moving beyond exports, shaping local industries, homes, and daily life. - Xinhua
