But building an industry that can stand on its own will be difficult. China produces practically all of the world’s equipment for making solar panels, and almost all of the supply of every component of solar panels, from wafers to special glass.
In the first half of 2023, Chinese exports increased by 34%, with 114 GW shipped worldwide, compared to 85 GW in 2022. With nearly 8 out of every 10 solar panels made in China, most nations rely heavily on Chinese solar cells to power the future. Are Any Solar Panels Not Made In China?
What sets China apart is its comprehensive oversight spanning every facet of solar panel manufacturing. The integrated control over every stage, from raw materials like polysilicon to the final panel product, has given solar companies in China a strategic advantage, enhancing their global competitiveness.
The country is speeding up the installation of solar panel fields on its territory at an unprecedented rate, both to get away from dependence on coal and to absorb its production. In 2023, China built more than 216 gigawatts of photovoltaic panels, more than the entire capacity in the US.
China has firmly established its dominance, accounting for an impressive 80% or more of all stages of solar panel production, spanning from polysilicon to panels. This has solidified the country’s position as an undisputed leader in the solar field.
The injection of capital has played a decisive role in catapulting China to the forefront of the solar industry. The Chinese government has poured more than USD 50 billion into new solar supply capacity – a figure ten times higher than that of Europe since 2011.