On June 26, 2025, during the Fourth Rural Energy Development Conference, a dedicated workshop on “Innovative Financing Mechanisms and Development Models for Rural Renewable Energy” was held in Hangzhou. The event was hosted by the China Energy Research Society, co-organized by Energy Foundation China (EF China) and Great Wall Securities, and executed by the Society’s Committees on Rural Power and Energy Finance and Law.

More than 150 participants—including researchers, entrepreneurs, financial institutions, and policy experts working in distributed energy and rural low-carbon development—convened to exchange ideas on key issues related to the development of distributed renewable energy in rural areas, centering on innovative incentives and green financing mechanisms. The discussions aimed to contribute insights to accelerate the rural clean energy transition, cut carbon emissions, and reduce pollution.

Han Shui, Supervisor of the China Energy Research Society, noted in his opening remarks that rural energy transition is a critical part of China’s broader energy revolution and green transition pathway. Yet it still faces persistent gaps—including inferior infrastructure and underdeveloped financing channels.

Han Shui, Supervisor of the China Energy Research Society delivered opening remarks

Zeng Xiaoling, Assistant to the President of Great Wall Securities, highlighted the recent surge in rural renewable energy deployment in China, which helps to diversify energy consumption and accelerate the low-carbon transition in rural areas.

Zeng Xiaoling, Assistant to the President of Great Wall Securities gave opening remarks

Du Xuan, Program Director of Low-Carbon Economic Growth at EF China, emphasized that rural clean energy projects still face hurdles when it comes to scale and sustainability. She noted that EF China, as a non-profit organization focusing on renewable energy and sustainable development, is committed to exploring solutions to resolve policy and funding bottlenecks for the development of distributed solar power in rural areas. EF China will continue to build an open, results-driven, efficient platform to facilitate dialogue in the sector.

Du Xuan, Program Director of the Low-Carbon Economic Growth at EF China delivered opening remarks

The workshop featured a series of in-depth presentations on long-term sustainability of clean energy in rural areas and related experiences. Speakers shared experiences of rural household solar rollouts, discussed how to structure PV investments for long-term value, and explored the application of integrated “source-grid-load-storage” systems in rural area. Experts agreed that, as major energy-consuming regions, rural areas have significant potential to drive decarbonization and pollution reduction through innovative investment in renewable energy.

Two roundtables took the conversation further—one looked at how rural energy transition in coordination with broader rural revitalization; the other focused on innovating rural distributed energy models and financing mechanisms.

Experts shared insights at roundtables

Earlier that morning, EF China also convened a closed-door expert roundtable on rural energy investment, financing, and innovation. Participants examined structural barriers to rural distributed energy development and explored solutions—including expanded grid capacity, optimized storage integration, and institutional reforms. Insights on innovative rural PV development models and financing mechanisms were exchanged. Experts discussed how to align rural revitalization, energy transition, and climate action under the global goal of tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030. The conversation also touched on pathways for multi-stakeholder cooperation, as well as the adaptation and development of green financing tools.