Orchid Awards finalist sees potential for China-Lebanon solar cooperation

A visit to a leading Chinese renewable energy company has given a Lebanese Orchid Awards finalist a firsthand look at China's technological innovation and prompted thoughts about how green technology could help address energy challenges in his home country.

International judges and nominees of the Third Orchid Awards visit LONGi Green Energy Technology Co. Ltd. in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, Sept. 10, 2026. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

On Wednesday, international judges and nominees of the Third Orchid Awards visited LONGi Green Energy Technology Co. Ltd. in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi province, where they learned about the company's development and its photovoltaic technologies and solutions.

Founded in 2000, LONGi operates under the mission "To make the best use of sunlight to create a green energy world" as its mission. Its business now spans more than 160 countries and regions.

The company has ranked first globally in cumulative shipments of monocrystalline silicon wafers over the past decade, and among the world's top two in cumulative photovoltaic module shipments over the past seven years.

LONGi has developed business operations spanning monocrystalline silicon wafers, solar cells and modules, distributed and utility-scale photovoltaics, green photovoltaic buildings and green hydrogen equipment, providing products and solutions to support the global transition toward net-zero emissions.

By the end of 2025, LONGi had generated a cumulative 3.57 trillion kilowatt-hours of clean electricity through its products, helping offset more than 1.6 billion metric tons of carbon emissions, equivalent to planting approximately 8.2 billion trees, according to the company.

For Adham Sayed, a researcher at Zhejiang Gongshang University and a finalist for the Friendship Envoy Award of the Third Orchid Awards, the visit provided an opportunity to see Chinese modernization firsthand.

"It's very important to read about modernization in China, but most important is to see this with your own eyes," Sayed said.

He said he was impressed by how investment in research and development has propelled LONGi to a world-leading position, adding that the company also has a clear plan for the future.

Coming from Lebanon, Sayed explained that his country has limited public electricity, with people receiving only two to three hours of state-supplied electricity per day. For the rest of the time, people have to buy electricity from the private sector or use solar panels.

He said electricity prices in Lebanon are very high.

"A lot of Lebanese are buying solar panels, and many more hope to buy," Sayed said, referring to the growing demand for solar energy among Lebanese families and the government.

Sayed expressed hope for greater cooperation between China and Lebanon in solar energy.

"We don't have electricity, but we have sun," he said, noting that joint government efforts to develop solar energy projects could provide a solution to the country's electricity shortages.

Established by China International Communications Group (CICG) in 2022, the Orchid Awards are a major international cultural award program recognizing foreign individuals and organizations committed to promoting international exchange of Chinese culture and making outstanding contributions to intercultural dialogue and mutual learning.

Based on candidates' achievements, contributions and international influence, the awards are presented in three categories: the Lifetime Honorary Award, the Outstanding Achievement Award and the Friendship Envoy Award.