China Photovoltaic Solar Supply Chain

Does China support the photovoltaic industry?

The United States has maintained an investment intensity of approximately 0.25 percent over the past decade in the RE realm. In terms of policy support, China is firmly committed to supporting the photovoltaic industry based on its and energy transition.

Why is China a leader in solar PV production?

In addition, China is responsible for the processing of rare earth elements that are mined abroad. China worked hard to maintain its position as a leader in the production of assembled PVs and their parts. The country has also majorly invested in installed capacities. In the span of 25 years, China was able to install 393 GW of solar PV alone.

Are solar PV supply chains cost-competitive?

Currently, the cost competitiveness of existing solar PV manufacturing is a key challenge to diversifying supply chains. China is the most cost-competitive location to manufacture all components of the solar PV supply chain. Costs in China are 10% lower than in India, 20% lower than in the United States, and 35% lower than in Europe.

How will China's solar expansion affect global solar supply chains?

After investing over US$130 billion into the solar industry in 2023, China will hold more than 80% of the world’s polysilicon, wafer, cell, and module manufacturing capacity from 2023 to 2026, according to a recent report by Wood Mackenzie titled “How will China’s expansion affect global solar module supply chains?”.

How can governments improve the supply chain of solar PV?

Use advanced methods such as blockchain and artificial intelligence to enhance transparency in transactions and help monitor the supply chain effectively to prevent potential bottlenecks: Governments should be able to track and monitor the supply chain of the solar PVs from the mining until the installation and possibly recycling.

Does China make solar panels?

China has invested over USD 50 billion in new PV supply capacity – ten times more than Europe − and created more than 300 000 manufacturing jobs across the solar PV value chain since 2011. Today, China’s share in all the manufacturing stages of solar panels (such as polysilicon, ingots, wafers, cells and modules) exceeds 80%.