China to go solar

ENERGY POLICY

BEIJING — China is to throw its economic might behind a national solar power plan that could result in it becoming one of the world's biggest harvesters of the sun's energy.

The government body responsible for overseeing energy policy has finalised a proposal for billions of dollars of incentives for solar farms and rooftop panels. Once approved, it is expected to give a boost to the domestic solar power market, which has lagged behind China's wind, nuclear and hydroelectric power investments.

China is the world's leading manufacturer of photovoltaic (PV) panels, which turn sunlight into electricity. But 95 per cent of these are exported. However, the increasing concerns about climate change and energy security have changed attitudes.

Since last year, a glut in supply of PV panels has pushed prices down by more than 30 per cent. To widen China's energy base, the plan is expected to include the biggest boost for solar power ever, along with extra spending and policy support for nuclear, wind and biomass power.

By 2020, the government is committed to raising the share of renewable energy (excluding hydroelectric power) in the mix to 6 per cent, from the current 1.5 per cent.

Mr Julian Wong, a Washington-based energy analyst, said 2009 was shaping up to be the year of solar power in China. "The unique confluence of lower productions costs and decreased overseas demand means the cost of going solar is lower than ever and makes it an opportune time to make a policy push for domestic solar deployment," he noted.

China is still expected to remain dependent on coal for about 70 per cent of its energy needs for at least the next two decades, meaning it will remain the world's biggest emitter of carbon dioxide. The Guardian

From TODAYOnline.com, World News – Thursday, 28-May-2009; see the source article here.

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