The 1st ELICE Workshop took place in Shanghai, bringing together emerging leaders, start-up founders, entrepreneurs, early-stage innovators, investors, and government representatives from the renewable energy sectors of Australia and China. The workshop focused on fostering entrepreneurship, cross-border collaboration, and innovation, with a strong emphasis on solar energy alongside broader clean energy technologies such as energy storage, green hydrogen, smart energy systems, and AI-driven solutions. Participants engaged in thematic discussions, networking activities, and direct exchanges with industry leaders, while also attending the SNEC PV Power Expo to explore global trends and the latest advancements in the solar industry.