Solar power in China
Encyclopedia
Solar power in the People's Republic of China is one of the biggest industries in mainland China. China has over 400 photovoltaic (PV) companies and produces approximately 23% of the photovoltaic products worldwide. In 2007 China produced 1700 MW of solar panels, nearly half of the world production of 3800 MW, although 99% was exported. Approximately 80 MW of photovoltaics contribute towards power generation in China. As well, solar water heating is extensively implemented.
, JA Solar Holdings, Jinniu Energy
, Suntech Power
, Yingli
, China Sunergy
and Hanwha SolarOne
.
GCL-Poly Energy Holdings Limited
has polysilicon production capacity of 18,000 MT (YE2009);
Suntech Power
, which produces approximately 50 MW/year of solar cells and photovoltaic module
s.
There is Yunnan Semi-conductor Parts Plant, which manufactures approximately 2 MW/year of monocrystalline
cells.
Yingli Solar, which manufactures approximately 600 MW/year of polycrystalline cells
and modules.
Guofei Green Energy Source, which produces approximately 1 MW/year of modules and Shanghai Poly-Vision Energy Science & Technology, which produces approximately 5 MW/year of modules.
s around the world. A byproduct of the process is silicon tetrachloride
, which is normally processed and recycled at a higher cost in the developed world, is often dumped by Chinese green startups. This substance is described as poisonous, polluting, and "like dynamite". These polluting polysilicon plants are said to be the new dot-coms in China. With proper recycling the polysilicon would cost $84,500 per tonne, but the Chinese companies are making it at $21,000 to $56,000 a ton.
thin-film cell maker.
In March 2010 Anwell Technologies Limited
began its mass production of the 1.1 × 1.4-metre amorphous silicon thin-film solar panel from its plant in Henan, China, marking a milestone on a journey that began about two years ago. A triple-junction thin-film silicon cell structure that is claimed to have produced conversion efficiencies of 14.8% is also in development phase at Mitsubishi Electric.
in 2007, the country's installed solar capacity was to grow to 1,800 megawatts by 2020. In 2009, a Commission's official name Wang Zhongying mentioned at a solar energy conference in Shanghai that, in his opinion, the plan may be exceeded several-fold, the installed capacity possibly reaching as much as 10,000 megawatt by 2020.
About 50 MW of installed solar capacity was added in 2008, more than double the 20 MW in 2007, but still a relatively small amount. According to some studies, the demand in China for new solar modules could be as high as 232 MW each year from now on until 2012. The government has announced plans to expand the installed capacity to 1,800 MW by 2020. If Chinese companies manage to develop low cost, reliable solar modules, then the sky is the limit for a country that is desperate to reduce its dependence on coal and oil imports as well as the pressure on its environment by using renewable energy.
Manufacturers
The industry is dominated by several major manufacturers. They are CHINT Group CorporationCHINT Group Corporation
Founded in July 1984, CHINT Group Corporation is composed of seven specialized companies. its product line covers Low-voltage electrical products, power transmission & distribution products, instruments & meters, electric products for building & construction, industry automation products and solar...
, JA Solar Holdings, Jinniu Energy
Jinniu Energy
Hebei Jinniu Energy Resources Co, Ltd. is a conglomerate company engaged in coal mining, construction material businesses, chemical production business, electricity power business and trading business. This company also engaged in the production and distribution of glass fibre and methyl alcohol...
, Suntech Power
Suntech Power
Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. is the world's largest producer of solar panels, with 1,800MW of annual production capacity by the end of 2010. With offices or production facilities in every major market, Suntech has delivered more than 13,000,000 solar panels to thousands of companies in more...
, Yingli
Yingli
Yingli also known as Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited , which holds the brand Yingli Solar, is a solar energy company and one of the largest vertically integrated manufacturers of photovoltaic solar modules...
, China Sunergy
China Sunergy
China Sunergy is a Chinese solar cell products manufacturer based in Nanjing, province, China. The company specializes in creating solar cells from silicon wafers. China Sunergy has a major customer base in China, but also sells their products internationally. On May 17 of 2007 the company began...
and Hanwha SolarOne
Hanwha SolarOne
Hanwha SolarOne, Ltd. is a Chinese manufacturer of photovoltaic cells and panels. They are ranked seventh largest producer in the world by PVinsights....
.
GCL-Poly Energy Holdings Limited
GCL-Poly Energy Holdings Limited
GCL-Poly is one of the leading green energy suppliers in China, providing power and heat via cogeneration, incineration and wind. GCL-Poly is also one of the leading polysilicon and wafer suppliers in the world, delivering silicon products to the solar industry.In November 2009, China Investment...
has polysilicon production capacity of 18,000 MT (YE2009);
Suntech Power
Suntech Power
Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. is the world's largest producer of solar panels, with 1,800MW of annual production capacity by the end of 2010. With offices or production facilities in every major market, Suntech has delivered more than 13,000,000 solar panels to thousands of companies in more...
, which produces approximately 50 MW/year of solar cells and photovoltaic module
Photovoltaic module
A solar panel is a packaged, connected assembly of solar cells, also known as photovoltaic cells...
s.
There is Yunnan Semi-conductor Parts Plant, which manufactures approximately 2 MW/year of monocrystalline
Monocrystalline silicon
Monocrystalline silicon or single-crystal Si, or mono-Si is the base material of the electronic industry. It consists of silicon in which the crystal lattice of the entire solid is continuous, unbroken to its edges. It can be prepared intrinsic, i.e...
cells.
Yingli Solar, which manufactures approximately 600 MW/year of polycrystalline cells
Polycrystalline silicon photovoltaics
Polycrystalline silicon photovoltaics are a type of solar cell. Silicon solar cells are manufactured with a microstructure tailored to the application depending on economic and performance requirements.-Forms of silicon:...
and modules.
Guofei Green Energy Source, which produces approximately 1 MW/year of modules and Shanghai Poly-Vision Energy Science & Technology, which produces approximately 5 MW/year of modules.
Pollution
China is a large producer of polysilicon, for use in first generation solar cellSolar cell
A solar cell is a solid state electrical device that converts the energy of light directly into electricity by the photovoltaic effect....
s around the world. A byproduct of the process is silicon tetrachloride
Silicon tetrachloride
Silicon tetrachloride is the inorganic compound with the formula SiCl4. It is a colourless volatile liquid that fumes in air. It is used to produce high purity silicon and silica for commercial applications.-Preparation:...
, which is normally processed and recycled at a higher cost in the developed world, is often dumped by Chinese green startups. This substance is described as poisonous, polluting, and "like dynamite". These polluting polysilicon plants are said to be the new dot-coms in China. With proper recycling the polysilicon would cost $84,500 per tonne, but the Chinese companies are making it at $21,000 to $56,000 a ton.
Third-generation solar cells
ENN Solar Group is the Chinese amorphous siliconAmorphous silicon
Amorphous silicon is the non-crystalline allotropic form of silicon. It can be deposited in thin films at low temperatures onto a variety of substrates, offering some unique capabilities for a variety of electronics.-Description:...
thin-film cell maker.
In March 2010 Anwell Technologies Limited
Anwell Technologies Limited
Anwell Technologies Limited is a supplier of manufacturing equipment with trading and manufacturing business in optical disc and solar cell. They vertically integrated into manufacturing business of optical disc and solar cell in 2007 and 2008...
began its mass production of the 1.1 × 1.4-metre amorphous silicon thin-film solar panel from its plant in Henan, China, marking a milestone on a journey that began about two years ago. A triple-junction thin-film silicon cell structure that is claimed to have produced conversion efficiencies of 14.8% is also in development phase at Mitsubishi Electric.
Domestic installed capacity
The amount of electricity generated with solar power within China itself is so far comparatively small: as of the end of 2008, the solar power capacity attached to the national grid (i.e., excluding autonomous systems) was under 100 MW (Megawatt), i..e merely 0.01% of the nation's power generation capacity. However, rapid expansion was planned: according to the plans unveiled by the National Development and Reform CommissionNational Development and Reform Commission
The National Development and Reform Commission , formerly State Planning Commission and State Development Planning Commission, is a macroeconomic management agency under the Chinese State Council, which has broad administrative and planning control over the Chinese economy...
in 2007, the country's installed solar capacity was to grow to 1,800 megawatts by 2020. In 2009, a Commission's official name Wang Zhongying mentioned at a solar energy conference in Shanghai that, in his opinion, the plan may be exceeded several-fold, the installed capacity possibly reaching as much as 10,000 megawatt by 2020.
About 50 MW of installed solar capacity was added in 2008, more than double the 20 MW in 2007, but still a relatively small amount. According to some studies, the demand in China for new solar modules could be as high as 232 MW each year from now on until 2012. The government has announced plans to expand the installed capacity to 1,800 MW by 2020. If Chinese companies manage to develop low cost, reliable solar modules, then the sky is the limit for a country that is desperate to reduce its dependence on coal and oil imports as well as the pressure on its environment by using renewable energy.
See also
- Climate change in ChinaClimate change in ChinaClimate change in China is a contentious issue since it is not required to be a signatory to the Kyoto Protocol yet it is responsible for one of the highest levels of greenhouse gas emissions....
- List of photovoltaics companies
- Solar energy
- Solar panel
- Solar Valley (China)Solar Valley (China)China's Solar Valley located in Dezhou, Shandong province, China, is "a massive exercise in social, economic and ecological engineering" using solar power in China. It is planned to cost $740 million USD, which includes $10 million to install solar lighting along roadways...
- Third generation solar cellThird generation solar cellThird generation solar cells are solar cells that are potentially able to overcome the Shockley–Queisser limit of 31-41% power efficiency for single bandgap solar cells...
- Zhejiang solar panel plant protestZhejiang solar panel plant protestThe Zhejiang solar panel plant protest occurred over 3 days at Zhejiang Jinko Solar company in Haining City, Zhejiang province in September 2011 due to fears about pollution from the factory contaminating the local environment...