The groundbreaking ceremony of Shanghai Engineering Technology Center of Solar Energy was held in Zizhu Park on 28 August 2008. The leaders from Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality, Shanghai Municipal Development and Reform Commission, Shanghai Economic Committee, Minhang District, Shanghai Aerospace Bureau, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and Zizhu Science-Based Industrial Park were present at the grand event.

Shanghai Engineering Technology Center of Solar Energy is a municipal level solar energy technology research center engaged in the research, development and application of solar energy by means of enterprises operation mode. It severs as a production, learning and research platform promoting the development and application of solar energy, and professional consultation and assessment institution for the industry as well. The talents involved mainly come from Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology attached to China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation and Shanghai Jiao Tong University.