Solar

All news and posts of our editorial team on the topic

Germany continues to rely on China for solar installations
Germany continues to rely heavily on China for solar installations. Around 87 percent of imported photovoltaic systems came from the People’s Republic last year, as the Federal Statistical Office reported on Wednesday. The value of these plants was a good €3.1 billion. In total, photovoltaic systems worth around €3.6 billion were supplied to Germany last […] continue reading →
Solar energy: ways out of dependence
China's planned export restrictions on solar production plants could hinder the development of the European solar industry. But experts believe there are ways out of dependence. The decisive factor, they say, is how politics react. Expertise and technical knowledge are still available. continue reading →
China hinders Western solar expansion
China plans to restrict the export of technologies for the production of solar systems. The People's Republic is the technological leader in this field. The export stop would deal a severe blow to the West's efforts to build up its own solar industry. continue reading →
State-owned group buys photovoltaics in Spain
The Spanish government has given the green light for the largest-ever ever purchase of photovoltaic plants by the Chinese state-owned company China Three Gorges (CTG). CTG has been given permission to purchase plants with a capacity of 619 megawatts from Nexwell Power, local media reported on Thursday. The transaction is the largest of its kind […] continue reading →
China considers export control of solar technology
China’s Ministry of Commerce is currently seeking comments on a law that would, among other things, restrict the export of technology for solar cell production. This is reported by Bloomberg. The website of the Ministry of Commerce (Mofcom) contains a catalog of planned changes to export controls. Among them are technologies for the production of […] continue reading →
Solar manufacturer Longi denies US accusations
Chinese solar module manufacturer Longi has denied accusations of circumventing US customs regulations. On Monday, the company said it would provide evidence that all US laws were complied with. The US Department of Commerce presented the preliminary results of a review of solar module manufacturers on Friday. These showed that Longi and three other companies […] continue reading →
China plans clean solar supply chain
When it comes to solar technology, the world is dependent on supplies from China. But in the West, there are debates about human rights violations along the supply chain. The People's Republic now reacts by planning its own "clean" supply chains for exports. The West would still receive solar technology with a clear conscience but would remain dependent. continue reading →
US customs blocks solar shipments
Hundreds of solar energy components are stuck in US ports. Customs officials told Reuters news agency that US Customs seized 1,053 shipments between June 21 and Oct. 25. Releases have not yet been issued, they said.The reason for the blockade is the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA), which went into effect in June. The […] continue reading →
More solar panels than wind turbines
For the first time, China has more solar panels in use than wind turbines: solar capacity rose by 1.9 percent in August to around 350 gigawatts, surpassing wind capacity, reported Bloomberg, citing data from the National Energy Administration. Wind power generated about 344 gigawatts in August. According to a BloombergNEF forecast, the People’s Republic will […] continue reading →
Billions in subsidies for renewables
China’s renewable energy industry could soon receive a shower of money worth ¥350 billion (about €50 billion). Developers and operators of wind and solar farms have been waiting for years for the overdue subsidy payments. The government had promised massive subsidies in the 2010s. In 2017, the money ran out. Since then, overdue subsidy applications […] continue reading →
Solar congestion at US Customs due to forced labor law
Following the introduction of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA), solar products from Xinjiang are piling up at US customs. Modules with a capacity of more than three gigawatts have been delayed at the border by the agency since the end of June because importers have not yet been able to provide the necessary […] continue reading →
Innovative pilot program puts more solar on rooftops
Solar systems on roofs have great potential for the energy transition. The German government is debating mandatory solar panels for new buildings, and some German states have already introduced similar measures. China has long lagged behind other countries in this respect. But for some years now, the People's Republic has been experiencing a boom. Thanks in part to an innovative pilot program. continue reading →
Strong growth in photovoltaics in the first half of the year
Power generation and production in China’s photovoltaic sector surged in the first half of 2022. Between January and June, nearly 31 gigawatts (GW) of photovoltaic capacity were installed for power generation, an increase of 137.4 percent over the same period last year. This was reported by Xinhua, citing the China Photovoltaic Industry Association. Production in […] continue reading →
Energy system is slowly becoming greener
China wants to increase the share of non-fossil energy sources in total consumption by an average of one percent annually by 2030. This is intended to achieve the climate target of using 25 percent non-fossil energy sources by 2030. This was recently announced by the National Energy Commission. Non-fossil fuels, including wind, solar, nuclear and […] continue reading →
Chinese solar manufacturers increase prices
Both solar cell manufacturers Longi and Tongwei have raised their prices. Tongwei raised the price of solar cells of various sizes by between 3 and 4 percent on Monday. Rival Longi followed suit on Tuesday, raising prices for wafers – a precursor to cells – by 3 to 4 percent as well. The price adjustment […] continue reading →
Breakthrough in the production of bendable solar cells
A Chinese startup has become the first company in the world to begin mass production of large bendable perovskite solar cells. The bendable cells can be built into windows, walls, smartphones, and other tech products. The cells have an efficiency of ten percent, which is half that of standard silicon cells, reports Nikkei Asia. Smaller […] continue reading →
Photovoltaics: IEA calls for more diverse supply chains
To meet international climate goals, governments must work to expand solar panel production to countries other than China. That was the conclusion of a special report released Thursday by the International Energy Agency (IEA). According to the IEA, global solar module production capacity has continued to shift from Europe, Japan and the US primarily to […] continue reading →
The dream of electricity from space
Is it possible to build solar power plants in space to supply Earth with energy? The idea is controversial among scientists. China now wants to place test satellites in high orbits that will send energy to Earth. continue reading →