Shanxi held an international renewable energy expo in Taiyuan from May 12 to 14.

The three-day expo focused on the latest renewable energy products and technologies, such as photovoltaic systems and air source heat pumps, which reflect the new trends of development in the energy industry, namely systematization and product integration.

The opening ceremony of the 2017 Shanxi International Renewable Energy Expo takes place at Shanxi provincial exhibition center in Taiyuan on May 12. [Photo/people.com.cn]

"There is a growing trend towards the comprehensive utilization of various energy sources as consumers and manufacturers further utilize solar energy and other forms of sustainable energy," said Chen Jiangyun, deputy secretary-general of the International Metal Solar Industry Alliance, one of the expo’s sponsors.

"Chinese companies in this field are encouraged to learn from those in Europe in applying clean energy to regional heating supplies," he added.

Indeed, the cities in coal-rich Shanxi province, especially Taiyuan, have great demand for solar energy and other forms of clean energy as renewable energy can replace domestic coal and facilitate clean energy in rural areas.

The expo is expected to advance the industrial transformation of Shanxi by introducing advanced technologies and products from renewable energy industrial clusters, such as Jiangsu province, Inner Mongolia autonomous region and Shanghai.

Visitors view renewable energy products at the expo on May 12. [Photo/Shanxi Daily]

More than 100 companies from across China, including Sunrain and Huawei, displayed their products and solutions to producing energy. Shanxi-based businesses like Jinneng Group showcased photothermal and photovoltaic products to visitors.

A series of forums themed on renewable energy-related policies and technologies were also held during the expo.