Dissatisfied with his job, in 1997 at the age of 30 Cao resigned from his position to start his own business in renewable energy despite his peers dissuading him as he had only just gotten married.

The turning point came in 2002 when the Chinese government started a solar energy project to brings electricity to remote villages in Northwestern China.

[2][3] Due to the 2007–2008 financial crisis, photovoltaic power stations had financing difficulties and support in European countries suddenly stopped leading to a decline in industry demand.

In April 2016, General Secretary Xi Jinping visited Anhui province and affirmed Sungrow's contribution to the project.

[5] In March 2024, Sungrow surpassed its rival LONGi Green Energy Technology as the world's most valuable solar sector company.