10%–15%
auditing process cost reduction
Rather than focus on standalone pilots, TCL PV Tech prioritized solving pain points—those critical yet constrained processes that would hinder sustainable growth. In collaboration with Bain, the organization introduced:
• Intelligent inspection, which reduced reliance on human judgment for processes like site survey and final grid connection
• Real-time analysis and forecasting of power markets to boost efficiency and accuracy
• AI-powered recognition to continuously monitor power stations and flag potential faults early, improving the speed and accuracy of maintenance responses
TCL PV Tech’s dedicated AI service group continues to scale AI across the business, embedding it in core capabilities to balance efficiency gains with risk control as the company grows. But beyond the tactical wins, Bain helped the company adopt an end-to-end transformation mindset. Faced with a highly uncertain business climate, the company built a sustained capability through process and organizational change. In that context, the organization’s AI-enabled transformation was not a one-time rollout but a continuous journey of iteration and refinement.
First, major, immediate pain points need to be addressed. Second, tangible results must be [achieved]. Visible success helps more colleagues recognize the real benefits AI brings and motivates them to go further.
Ms. Ricky He, General Manager, TCL Photovoltaic Technology