Extreme summer heat and drought have exposed weaknesses in Serbia's conventional energy system, just as soaring temperatures have driven up demand for air conditioning. Against that backdrop, businesses are increasingly investing in solar power, with Chinese equipment playing a central role in new installations.

Near Mokrin in northeastern Serbia, a newly completed solar farm stretches across 20,000 square meters of flat agricultural land. The facility, which is undergoing final preparations before opening, has more than 21,000 Chinese-made solar panels, Huawei inverters and transformer stations.

Its installed capacity is 14 megawatts, with almost 10 megawatts available for connection to the electricity distribution network. A Chinese-technology tracking system rotates the panels from east to west, allowing them to follow the sun and generate electricity more effectively throughout the day.

Chinese equipment is the 'best'

Nikola Grubor, deputy director of project developer MT-Komex, said the company compared equipment from manufacturers around the world before selecting its suppliers.

"We deep dived into all of the products that we were talking about, and in the end, what we concluded is that the Chinese companies that produce the equipment installed here, were the best," he said.

The project illustrates how solar generation is expanding beyond small rooftop installations into larger commercial facilities. But companies do not need vast areas of land to reduce their dependence on electricity purchased from the grid.

At the JUB paint factory in Simanovci, a 1.26-megawatt rooftop installation already supplies a substantial share of the company's electricity. Technical director Zagorka Mikic said the investment brings environmental and financial benefits.

"We have managed to provide 50% of our electricity needs from our solar power plant and we are very proud of that," she said. "At the same time, we have a significant economic benefit."

Serbia added around 61 megawatts of solar capacity in the first half of 2026, supported by continued investment from businesses and households that both produce and consume electricity.

Solar power cannot immediately compensate for reduced output from conventional generation, particularly when demand rises during prolonged heatwaves. Its contribution also varies with sunlight, leaving a continuing need for other energy sources and a reliable grid.

For energy-intensive industries, producing electricity on site can reduce exposure to price fluctuations.

Nevertheless, projects such as Mokrin and JUB show how businesses are diversifying their electricity supply, reducing operating costs and contributing to Serbia's transition towards cleaner generation.