Is China a leader in solar energy technology?

Over the past 20 years China has emerged as the world leader in solar energy technology. At the end of 2019, China’s total installed capacity of solar PV power made up 204 GW of energy.

Why did China promote the solar PV industry?

The solar PV industry (as well as wind power) was supported and promoted with the explicit aim to create a leader in the global renewable energy market and to export equipment made in China to the promising solar markets in Europe and in USA. China’s government wanted to take its export-oriented, “factory of the world” economy to the next level.

How did China become a leader in solar power supply chain?

Government investment into solar panel producers, subsidies, and access to government bank credit helped Chinese solar companies such as Longi, Suntech, Trinasolar, and more develop into leaders of the global solar market. Collectively, they control at least 60% of global capacity for every step in the solar power supply chain.

How did Chinese government support the solar industry?

Chinese Government support for the solar industry started with programs such as the 1996 Brightness Program, designed to electrify 20 million Chinese with solar power in rural western provinces. The program was given 3-5 billion Yuan from national and local governments and designed as a poverty alleviation program.

Why is solar industry a strategic development priority in China?

Making the solar industry a strategic development priority gave rise to such Chinese solar superstars as Suntech Power Corporation in Wuxi. Suntech Power has had the strongest impact and role model function on the whole of China’s solar industry development, triggering the formation of a world leading industry sector.

How can China grow a domestic solar market?

Demand-side policies are imperative for growing a domestic solar market and the Chinese government has used the past two five-year plans and concomitant plans to set capacity targets, carbon intensity targets, and a target of getting 15% of its energy from non-fossil sources by 2020.