A remarkable tale of speed and efficiency is unfolding in Guangzhou's Huadu District, centered on the 10.9 billion yuan photovoltaic module project by Guangzhou Highview Solar Technology Co., Ltd. This venture, the district's first gigawatt-scale solar manufacturing project launched during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, has achieved an industry milestone by advancing from the first foundation pile to the production of its initial module in just 75 days. This achievement is driven by the Huadu Economic Development Zone's groundbreaking business environment reforms, spearheaded by the "Five-Certificate Joint Processing" initiative, which has accelerated the construction of a modern industrial system.
The "Five-Certificate Joint Processing" model represents a significant departure from traditional approval processes. In 2023, when Highview Solar decided to establish its billion-yuan photovoltaic industrial park in Huadu, the district authorities confronted the tension between urgent project timelines and conventional bureaucratic procedures by initiating internal reforms. The Guangzhou Municipal Planning and Natural Resources Bureau's Huadu Branch, in collaboration with the District Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau, introduced this innovative approach, transforming the five core approval steps—land use planning permits, civil air defense project registration, construction engineering planning permits, construction permits, and initial registration of state-owned construction land use rights—from a sequential to a parallel process.
This reform extends beyond simple procedural streamlining. The required application documents have been reduced from 29 to 15, and the processing time has been compressed from 40 working days to just 6. More critically, by dismantling data silos among the planning, housing, and government data departments, the initiative has achieved the first-ever integration of the real estate registration platform with the joint review system, enabling a seamless experience of "one application, one submission, full online processing."
"We now submit materials just once, and all departments review them simultaneously, eliminating the need to shuttle between offices," remarked Dong Xiaoting, Manager of the Enterprise Development Department at Highview Solar.
Beyond the streamlined approvals, comprehensive lifecycle services have been instrumental in maintaining momentum. During project implementation, the district's proactive approach proved essential, particularly when addressing the project's nearly 40,000 kilovolt-ampere power requirements and the complex 2.5-kilometer external line construction. The Huadu Power Supply Bureau established a dedicated support team, completing the power connection in just 18 days—less than half the standard timeframe—despite navigating a dense network of existing pipelines.
This collaborative synergy between government and enterprise throughout the process, from land bidding to factory construction, underscores the district's commitment to service excellence. As Song Jian, Deputy General Manager of Highview Solar, observed, "The 'Five-Certificate Joint Processing' demonstrates the coordinated determination of Huadu's departments, and this exceptional business environment provides us with the strongest confidence in our investment decision."
This exceptional business environment is generating powerful magnetic effects, attracting investment and nurturing a thriving industrial ecosystem. As a key player in the new energy supply chain, Highview Solar's establishment has not only filled a critical gap in Huadu's photovoltaic sector but has also attracted upstream suppliers for component frames and packaging to relocate nearby through business-to-business referrals, fostering the emergence of a localized supply chain ecosystem.
In 2025, Highview Solar successfully achieved mass production of BC modules, ranking among the global top three. Its products have been included in the shortlists of several central state-owned enterprises, including CGN and State Power Investment Corporation, with confirmed orders exceeding 11 gigawatts for delivery in 2025. Upon full operational capacity, the project is projected to generate approximately 22 billion yuan in annual output and create around 2,500 jobs in Huadu.
The success of Highview Solar is not an isolated case. Building on the momentum of reforms like the "Five-Certificate Joint Processing," the Huadu Economic Development Zone was officially upgraded to a national-level economic and technological development zone in 2024. To date, the zone has nurtured 22 national-level specialized and innovative "little giant" enterprises, over 800 high-tech enterprises, and 59 Fortune 500 invested companies. A hundred-billion-yuan industrial cluster encompassing intelligent automobile manufacturing, airport economy, and green new energy is rapidly taking shape, solidifying the zone's position as a premier destination for investment.