押宝储能，东方日升打响“翻身仗”

Core Viewpoint - Dongfang Risen is accelerating its energy storage business to find new growth opportunities amid a decline in its photovoltaic (PV) business, as evidenced by its recent achievements and partnerships in the energy storage sector [1][12]. Group 1: Company Background and Historical Performance - Dongfang Risen, established in December 2002, is one of the earliest companies in China's solar energy sector, transitioning from solar lighting to solar cells and modules, becoming a leading PV module manufacturer [1][4]. - The company has faced challenges, including significant losses in 2012 due to anti-dumping measures in Europe and a strategic pivot towards PV project development, which helped boost its module shipments [4][6]. - After a shift in focus to heterojunction technology (HJT) in 2018, Dongfang Risen struggled to capitalize on the TOPCon technology boom, leading to a decline in its global module shipment ranking [1][5][9]. Group 2: Financial Performance and Challenges - Dongfang Risen's financial performance has been under pressure, with net losses reported in 2020 and 2021, while competitors like Longi Green Energy achieved substantial profits [6][7]. - The company's total liabilities surged from 10.4 billion to 25.5 billion, with a debt-to-asset ratio increasing to approximately 71% [11]. - Despite some recovery in 2022 and 2023, the company faced another round of losses in 2024, marking seven consecutive quarters of losses totaling 4.369 billion [9][10]. Group 3: Energy Storage Business Development - Dongfang Risen has made significant strides in the energy storage sector, launching a comprehensive product matrix that includes large-scale, commercial, and residential storage solutions [12][14]. - The company ranked 8th globally in direct current energy storage system shipments and 4th in user-side storage systems in 2023, with a notable increase in shipments in the first half of 2025 [12][14]. - The energy storage segment has shown promising growth, with a gross margin of 22.15% in 2024, making it the second most profitable business after PV electricity sales [14]. Group 4: Future Outlook and Opportunities - The global energy storage market is experiencing rapid growth, with a year-on-year increase of 192% in overall shipments in the first half of 2025, presenting a significant opportunity for Dongfang Risen [12][14]. - The company has secured multiple international contracts, indicating a strong demand for its energy storage solutions and the potential for further expansion in this sector [13][14]. - To capitalize on the growing energy storage market, Dongfang Risen must accelerate its efforts to establish this segment as a core business, which could significantly improve its financial standing [14].