Once again, China has increased its solar target, announcing plans to reach 35 GW of solar by 2015. The target was previously set at 21 GW.
This government announcement is a boost for Chinese solar panel producers. Facing import tariffs in the EU and U.S., now producers should see increased demand at home.
Chinese factory workers at the plant of Astronergy Solar Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Photo Credit: Associated Press.
In 2012, installed solar capacity was at around 7 GW, so installations should grow by around 10 GW per year between now and 2015.
In a statement from the country’s State Council, according to the Wall Street Journal, the industry faces challenges but will be supported by the government.
“China’s solar industry is facing widespread operating difficulties,” the State Council said. “Currently, global demand for solar power has slowed, product exports are facing heavy resistance and the growth of the solar industry is uncoordinated,” and there are “severe overcapacity issues.”
Recently, China became the first country to exceed 3 GW of installed utility-scale solar (so, not including rooftop solar). This figure comes from Wiki-Solar, which calculated that 3.75 GW of utility-scale solar was added worldwide in 2013, with China contributing over 1 GW.
Germany is close behind, with 2.895 GW, and the U.S. is third in the ranking, with 2.895 GW of utility-scale solar.
