Swiss Embassy in China's Green Transition Powered by GoodWe

The Embassy of Switzerland in China is taking steps toward a greener future, with GoodWe’s solar technology playing a role in that journey.

As the world pursues carbon neutrality and sustainable development, embassies, often symbolic spaces, are reimagining their role in the sustainability transition. Leading the way, the Swiss Embassy in China has become one of the first to embrace renewable energy solutions.

“Switzerland gives very high priority to energy-saving and sustainable buildings. This year, we've taken many measures to make this embassy green.” said Swiss Ambassador to China Jürg Burri during an interview, explaining the motivation behind the project. “We have high energy consumption at the embassy. With conventional measures, we could only cut that by 20%, maybe less. Adding photovoltaics helps us make a real, substantial difference.”

Harnessing Sunlight for Self-Consumption: The Embassy’s First PV System

This marks the embassy’s very first photovoltaic installation. GoodWe provided a tailored BIPV solution, featuring 143 Galaxy Ultra 335W solar panels and its market-proven SDT series inverter. With a capacity of 47.9 kWp, the system is projected to generate about 58,856 kWh in its first year, supplying power to parts of the embassy complex, including the ambassador’s residence and the adjacent main office building.

System Design with Care: Aesthetic Integrity Intact

Situated in Beijing’s Chaoyang District, the nearly 50-year-old embassy building demanded more than just technical compatibility. 

"While we're making this embassy green, we must respect it as a historic building," said Ambassador Burri. "We were looking at the product which is not changing the optics or the aesthetics of the embassy too much."

GoodWe’s Galaxy Series proved to be the ideal choice, offering high performance while seamlessly integrating with the architectural integrity and visual harmony of the historic site.

The series of panels brings together efficiency, safety, and penetration-free installation. Weighing just 5.6 kg/m2, it significantly reduces structural load. Its frameless, waterproof membrane-integrated design allow for a clean, unified integration with the existing architecture.

According to GoodWe, the supplied Galaxy series was customized to integrate with the existing Sika-made waterproof membrane in the rooftop, preserving its structure and function.

Blending seamlessly into the embassy environment, GoodWe’s SDT series commercial string inverter was also a natural fit. It offered not just reliable energy conversion but also helped preserve the calm atmosphere essential to the spaces. The 40kW model used in this project emits less than 45 decibels during operation, ensuring minimal acoustic impact. As the first commercial inverter globally to receive TÜV’s low-noise certification, the SDT series has become a trusted solution for noise-sensitive sites such as schools, hospitals, and government buildings.

Fast, Integrated, and Expertly Coordinated

"The installation was really smooth, very fast," the Ambassador remarked. The entire process was carried out with minimal disruption, allowing the embassy's daily operations to continue uninterrupted. 

For Glorie Xie, project engineer at GoodWe, this efficiency was made possible not just by technology, but equally by a customer-focused approach and strong collaboration.

“We started coordinating with the embassy back in April 2024, working through technical details and project alignment early on,” Xie explained, “During implementation, the communication was prompt, clear, and solution-focused. The embassy team was highly cooperative, and together we kept everything on track.”

To meet the embassy’s unique requirement for remote monitoring from its headquarters in Switzerland, the project integrated the Swiss-made data logger, with engineers from both sides collaborating to ensure protocol compatibility.

Sustainability as a Shared Commitment

“We are proud to support the Swiss Embassy in its leadership as an early adopter of renewable energy,” said Daniel Huang, CEO of GoodWe. “This project is another example of how GoodWe delivers integrated solutions that meet specific energy needs while making installation and maintenance simple. For 15 years, we’ve focused on creating real value for our customers and helping them move forward in the clean energy transition. That commitment hasn’t changed.”

"China leads in manufacturing capability, and Switzerland is at the forefront of innovation," As Ambassador Burri stated, "This partnership shows how our strengths can come together to support global climate goals.” Looking ahead, the Swiss Embassy is exploring possibilities of expanding the solar installation to additional rooftop areas, reinforcing its long-term sustainable goals.