To Go Far, Be Steady. To Go Right, Stay Still: SolarBK’s 20-Year Journey as a Clean Energy Pioneer

SolarBK’s two-decade journey in clean energy was never written by speed, but by endurance. Not by noise, but by a steadfast commitment to integrity, science, and consistency. In a sector defined by constant shifts, where markets surge and contract, and policies evolve without pause, this quiet steadiness has become the anchor that keeps SolarBK standing firm.

Twenty years ago, when renewable energy was still unfamiliar to most in Vietnam, few believed that the solar devices being tested in laboratories could grow into a long and meaningful journey. The early days were full of uncertainty: a market without form, policies barely taking shape, and public awareness still hesitant.

Yet amid those obstacles, SolarBK chose to advance one solid step at a time, creating solutions that could truly operate, proving effectiveness through real value delivered to users, and staying rooted in professional integrity.

Today, as Vietnam’s Net Zero 2050 commitment becomes a national priority, the story shared by Mr. Nguyễn Dương Tuấn on Ho Chi Minh City Television’s program “For a Green Life” reflects not only SolarBK’s growth but also the progress of Vietnam’s clean energy sector: a clear affirmation that Vietnamese capabilities can lead, innovate, and contribute meaningfully to the country’s green transition.
Mr. Tuấn’s path into clean energy began early. Growing up in a family of renewable energy researchers, his childhood visits to wind testing sites in the 1990s quietly instilled a simple yet enduring belief: knowledge only holds real value when it touches people’s lives.

Building on the R&D foundation of RECTERE at Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, he committed to taking technology out of the lab—transforming it into clean energy solutions Made in Vietnam, tailored for local climate conditions, grid systems, and user behaviours.

At that time, solar power was seen as a luxury; photovoltaic panels were viewed more as display pieces than practical tools. SolarBK chose a different path: instead of showcasing technology, they developed tangible applications that demonstrated safety, stability, and economic benefit. “Bringing clean energy into life” became more than a slogan, it became a way of doing the work.

The company did not sell fragmented equipment; it invested heavily in R&D to create complete, reliable solutions with clear performance commitments. To Mr. Tuấn, a system with a 15–25-year lifespan could never be decided by price alone. Long-term thinking, prioritizing durability, quality, and transparency—was the only way to earn lasting trust.

2. Weathering the “Ice Age” of Vietnam’s Clean Energy Market

Looking back over twenty years, renewable energy in Vietnam has never been an easy path. From a time with almost no policy support, to the explosive surge of the FIT mechanism-and its abrupt halt-followed by the shock of COVID-19, the market has experienced every peak of expectation and every valley of stagnation. Mr. Tuấn calls the post-2020 phase an “Ice Age.” When preferential tariffs ended and the pandemic dragged on, many projects stalled. Numerous companies left the market. For SolarBK, this was a pivotal moment. Yet instead of dwelling on hardship, he spoke of one word: responsibility. No matter how heavy the pressure, SolarBK refused to abandon the commitments made to customers. Progress might slow, designs might change, but the company never walked away.

This way of responding preserved the most valuable asset in a young market: trust. Many projects returned to SolarBK, not because of statements or promises, but because stakeholders had seen how the company stood firm through the market’s harshest winter.

3. People – The Most Enduring Asset, and Projects That Touch the Heart

Throughout the conversation, Mr. Tuấn spoke more about people than numbers. SolarBK was built by educators and researchers from the University of Technology, and to this day retains that spirit: knowledge, discipline, and deep commitment. Some team members have stayed 10–15 years. Others grew at SolarBK before taking on leadership roles at major energy companies in Vietnam and beyond.

He does not view this as a “brain drain,” but as a natural ripple effect: wherever they go, they carry with them SolarBK’s ethos of integrity and rigorous craftsmanship. It is an intangible asset, but also the most enduring. Among many large-scale projects such as VinFast’s 30 MWp installation or LEGO’s clean energy initiatives, Mr. Tuấn always lingers longest on “Lighting Up Trường Sa and DK1.” His eyes reveal a different layer of meaning, not tied to revenue, but to the first time a Vietnamese-designed and implemented clean energy system illuminated the country’s frontline islands.

Out there, in the windswept waters, clean energy is no longer about technology or efficiency, it becomes a symbol of sovereignty and Vietnamese intellect. That, he says, was the moment he knew they were on the right path: right because it holds meaning, not because it is easy; right because it carries long-term value, not because it is loud; right because it stays true to the roots of why they began.

4. Steady Steps in the Net Zero Era

As Net Zero 2050 becomes Vietnam’s national strategy, clean energy enters a new chapter-more dynamic, more competitive, yet more challenging. SolarBK chooses to remain “still”: calm, resilient, and unswayed by short-term waves.

Mr. Tuấn believes Vietnam’s advantages lie in three clear strengths: abundant wind and solar potential, increasing green-transition demand from FDI enterprises and households, and consistent governmental direction toward Net Zero. But turning these advantages into real value requires strong technology and transparent policies.

On the technology side, he highlights the critical role of smart grids and control algorithms, the “brain” that balances load and generation. In this core area, he believes Vietnamese engineers can stand on equal footing with anyone in the world.

On the policy side, he argues that the market no longer needs costly incentives, it needs a clear, stable regulatory framework so businesses dare to invest. Resolutions 70 and 57 open new doors for Vietnamese enterprises to move deeper into the clean energy value chain, from localization to joint ventures to eventual technological mastery. In this context, SolarBK continues its pioneering spirit, not loud, not racing on price, but developing integrated solutions with intelligent controls that help customers save costs, create more value, and adapt to the emerging Net Zero ecosystem.

As a member of the Ho Chi Minh City Green Business Association (HGBA), SolarBK aims to accompany Vietnamese companies on their green transition: sharing knowledge, delivering proven solutions, and supporting them to act correctly, sustainably, and responsibly.

5. To Go Far, Be Steady. To Go Right, Stay Still

Twenty years is not long in the lifespan of an industry, but long enough to test the resolve of those who dare to lead. From the first solar modules installed by engineers’ own hands to projects stretching from the mainland to the islands, SolarBK’s journey underscores a simple truth: to go far, one must be steady; to go right, one must stay still.

On “For a Green Life”, Mr. Nguyễn Dương Tuấn did not speak in grand declarations, but with the honesty and depth of someone who has spent nearly two decades devoted to clean energy. His message remains consistent: do what is meaningful, do it thoroughly, and believe that clean energy is not just a business, it is a responsibility to the future.

And that is how SolarBK, a Vietnamese enterprise, continues to contribute to the Net Zero journey: quietly, steadily, but with depth and pioneering spirit, creating change that matters.

Watch the “For a Green Life” program by Ho Chi Minh City Radio and Television here.