Solar power by country – Worldwide usage of solar energy varies greatly by country, with the top 10 countries representing approximately 74% of the photovoltaic market. As of 2021, China has the largest solar energy capacity in the world at 306,973 megawatts (MW), which produces roughly 4.8%-6% of the country’s total energy consumption.
Contents
- 1 Which country is best for solar power?
- 2 What country uses the most solar energy 2022?
- 3 Are German solar panels better than Chinese?
- 4 Which country has the cheapest solar panels?
- 5 Will solar panels be future?
- 6 Which country produces largest solar energy in the world in 2022?
- 7 What percentage of solar panels are made in China?
Which country makes the most solar panels?
The top 3 global manufacturers are LONGi Solar, Tongwei Solar, and JA Solar.Most solar panels are manufactured in China, but some companies in Canada and the U.S. are gaining traction.Some well known solar panel companies with manufacturing facilities in the U.S. include: LG Solar, CertainTeed, Q CELLS, Silfab Solar, JinkoSolar, Solaria, and Tesla. While location of manufacture may be important to you, it’s also important to consider factors such as price, efficiency, brand, quality, and more. Use the EnergySage Marketplace to receive free, custom quotes from solar installers near you.
Which country has the most solar panels per capita?
Solar Laggards: The Bottom Consumers Per Capita – On the flip side, several countries that lag behind on solar use are heavily reliant on fossil fuels. These include several members of OPEC —Iraq, Iran, and Venezuela—and former member state Indonesia.
| Rank | Country | Solar consumption per capita (kWh, 2019) | Primary energy consumption per capita (kWh, 2019) |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | 🇮🇸 Iceland | No data available | |
| #2 | 🇱🇻 Latvia | No data available | |
| #3 | 🇮🇩 Indonesia | 9,140 | |
| #4 | 🇺🇿 Uzbekistan | 15,029 | |
| #5 | 🇭🇰 Hong Kong | 46,365 | |
| #6 | 🇻🇪 Venezuela | 1 | 21,696 |
| #7 | 🇴🇲 Oman | 2 | 84,535 |
| #8 | 🇹🇲 Turkmenistan | 3 | 67,672 |
| #9 | 🇮🇶 Iraq | 4 | 15,723 |
| #10 | 🇮🇷 Iran | 5 | 41,364 |
Source: Our World in Data, BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2020 Note that some conversions have been made for primary energy consumption values from Gigajoules (GJ) to kWh. Interestingly, Iceland is on this list for a different reason. Although the country still relies on renewable energy, it gets this from than solar—a significant share comes from hydropower as well as geothermal power.
Why is solar so cheap in China?
Lower manufacturing costs – Declines in manufacturing costs have also led to cheaper, more affordable panels. China, in particular, has made massive investments into all sectors of the solar industry over the past 20 years. Chinese solar panel makers benefit not only from generous government subsidies, but also from low labor costs: the average wage in China is about $3.60 per hour, while the average wage in the U.S.
- Hovers around $21 per hour.
- This confluence of low labor costs and government investment has led to China’s rapid growth as an industry leader.
- Analysts credit the 80 percent decline in global panel prices that occurred between 2008 and 2013 to the rapid growth of the Chinese solar industry.
- Today, six of the top 10 solar manufacturers are Chinese, and two-thirds of all solar panels are now made in China.
But these low panel costs have also frustrated domestic solar manufacturers. Some have argued that cheap foreign panels, especially those from China, have made it impossible for American manufacturers to compete. SunEdison, for instance, filed for bankruptcy in 2016, and Suniva filed for bankruptcy in 2017.
Who leads the world in solar power?
Top 10 countries by cumulative solar PV capacity in 2021
| 2016 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|
| Country or territory | New | Total |
| China | 34,540 | 254,355 |
| European Union | 152,917 | |
| United States | 14,730 | 75,572 |
Which country is best for solar power?
Solar power by country – Worldwide usage of solar energy varies greatly by country, with the top 10 countries representing approximately 74% of the photovoltaic market. As of 2021, China has the largest solar energy capacity in the world at 306,973 megawatts (MW), which produces roughly 4.8%-6% of the country’s total energy consumption.
What country uses the most solar energy 2022?
China – As the most populous country in the world, China also produces the most solar energy internationally. While only accounting for roughly 3.5% of the country’s total power generation in 2020, solar power in China has grown tremendously year over year since 2011, when government incentives were first introduced. Able to claim the top spot for both PV and thermal solar energy, China has been producing the most solar electricity worldwide since earning the #1 ranking over Germany in 2015. Produced domestically, China’s solar revolution is largely based on locally made panels.
Are German solar panels better than Chinese?
German-made Vs. Chinese Solar Panels – If you are worried about low-quality Chinese panels, then selecting a German-made solar panel reduces the risk. Germany is one of the top 10 manufacturing countries in the world. Therefore, German panels are high-quality, reliable, priced higher, and are well worth it.
The Chinese government provides generous financial incentives to scale the production in companies. Though it seems fantastic, there are many poorer manufacturers and Tier 1 companies too. Tire 3 manufacturers take advantage of these incentives to produce lower-quality products. Some of the German solar panel companies have production facilities in China.
To buy Chinese solar panels, it is better to do some research on the specific manufacturer you are looking at.
Which country has the cheapest solar panels?
India is now producing the world’s cheapest solar power The costs of building large-scale solar installations in India fell by 27% year-on-year. Image: REUTERS/Amit Dave Image: IRENA Discover What’s the World Economic Forum doing about the transition to clean energy? License and Republishing World Economic Forum articles may be republished in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Public License, and in accordance with our Terms of Use. The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone and not the World Economic Forum. Related topics: Global Agenda A weekly update of the most important issues driving the global agenda Rosa Kariger and Christophe Blassiau November 1, 2022 Chris Stokel-Walker November 1, 2022 Paige Bennett November 1, 2022 Roberto Bocca and Stefan Ellerbeck October 31, 2022 Stephen Hall October 31, 2022 Cristen Hemingway Jaynes October 31, 2022 : India is now producing the world’s cheapest solar power
Will solar panels be future?
Solar Futures Study Draws Insights From Across NREL’s Expertise and Tools To Deliver Detailed Analysis of Solar Energy’s Future in United States – The next 30 years of solar energy is likely to look very different than the past 30. Photovoltaics (PV) and concentrating solar power are likely to continue to grow rapidly—the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) projects solar energy could provide 45% of the electricity in the United States by 2050 if the energy system is fully decarbonized—and technology costs are projected to continue to decline,
- But in the coming decades, the evolution of solar energy technologies could be defined more by how they interact with other energy technologies, like wind and storage.
- Changes across the wider energy system, like the increased electrification of buildings and vehicles, emergence of clean fuels, and new commitments to both equitability and a more circular, sustainable economy, will shape the future of solar energy.
These are just some of the key findings of the Solar Futures Study, published by the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office and written by NREL. The study is based on extensive analysis and modeling conducted by NREL and synthesizes analysis across many domains to provide a balanced and rigorous assessment of the future of solar power.
“Solar can play a synergistic role across various sectors including industry, transportation, and agriculture. To better understand the future of solar across the energy system, we brought together numerous experts from across the lab.” – NREL researcher Kristen Ardani “The study brought together expert perspectives across industry, government, nongovernmental organizations, and universities to frame its research direction,” said NREL’s lead of the study, Robert Margolis,
“Then we used several of NREL’s detailed power system modeling tools to examine how the role of solar could evolve under a set of decarbonization scenarios.”
Which countries have 100% renewable?
Places with near 100% renewable electricity – The following places meet 90% or more of their average yearly electricity demand with renewable energy (incomplete list):
| Place | Population | Electricity | Source(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albania | 2,821,977 (2011) | Hydroelectric. | |
| Aller-Leine Valley, Germany | 75,000 (2012) | 63.5% wind, 30% biogas, 10.7% hydro, 3.1% solar | |
| Aspen, Colorado, United States | 6,658 (2010) | Hydroelectric, wind and solar and geothermal | |
| Bhutan | 727,145 (2017) | Largely hydroelectricity; exports 70% of its production due to excess energy generated; no fossil fuel power plants. | |
| Burlington, Vermont, United States | 42,417 (2010) | 35.3% hydro, 35.3% wood, 27.9% wind, 1.4% solar photovoltaic | |
| British Columbia, Canada | 4,700,000 (2017) | 97% hydroelectric | |
| Centralia, Washington, United States | 17,216 | 90.6% hydro, 7.9% nuclear | |
| Chelan Cty., Washington, United States | 76,533 | 100% renewable energy made up of 99.98% hydroelectric and 0.02% wind power. | |
| Costa Rica | 4,857,000 | 99% renewable electricity. Hydroelectric (90%), geothermal, wind (and others) | |
| Democratic Republic of the Congo | 84,000,000 | Almost 100% hydro, but only 9% have access to electricity. | |
| Douglas Cty., Washington, United States | 41,945 | 100% hydro | |
| Ethiopia | 109,224,414 (2018) | Mostly hydroelectricity (>90%). Smaller quantities of wind, solar, and geothermal.45% of the population has access to electricity As of 2018, and there is a 100% access target set in 2017 for 2025. | |
| Georgetown, Texas, United States | 70,000 | 100% – 154MW solar and wind balanced with grid connection | |
| Greensburg, Kansas, United States | 1400 | 100% – wind balanced with grid connection | |
| Iceland | 329,100 | 72% hydroelectricity, 28% geothermal, wind, and solar power, less than 0.1% combustible fuel (off-grid diesel) | |
| Kodiak Island, Alaska, United States | 13,448 | 80.9% hydroelectricity, 19.8% wind power, 0.3% diesel generator | |
| Lower Austria, Austria | 1,612,000 | 63% hydroelectricity, 26% wind, 9% biomass, 2% solar | |
| Manitoba, Canada | 1,278,365 | 97% hydroelectricity, 3% wind, <1% petroleum (diesel in four off-grid communities), <1% natural gas | |
| Norway | 5,140,000 | 96% hydroelectricity, 2% combustible fuel, 2% geothermal, wind, and solar | |
| Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada | 525,604 | 95% hydroelectricity | |
| Palo Alto, California, United States | 66,000 | 50% hydro, rest a combination of solar, wind and biogas | |
| Paraguay | 7,010,000 | Electricity sector in Paraguay is 100% hydroelectricity, about 90% of which is exported, remaining 10% covers domestic demand | |
| Pend Oreille Cty., Washington, United States | 13,354 | 97.1% hydro | |
| Quebec, Canada | 8,200,000 | 99% renewable electricity is the main energy used in Quebec (41%), followed by oil (38%) and natural gas (10%) | |
| Samsø, Denmark | 3,806 | Net greater than 100% wind power and biomass, connected to mainland for balance and backup power | |
| Scotland | 5,510,000 (2022) | 97% of electricity (2020) produced from renewables, mainly wind followed by hydroelectric. | |
| Sealand | 2 | 100% of electricity produced from wind and solar power. | |
| Seattle, Washington, United States | 724,745 | 86% hydroelectricity, 7% wind, 1% biogas | |
| South Island, New Zealand | 1,115,000 | 98.2% hydroelectricity and 1.6% wind. Around one-fifth of generation is exported to the North Island, | |
| Tacoma, Washington, United States | 208,100 | 85% hydro, 6% wind | |
| Tajikistan | 8,734,951 (2016) | Hydropower supplies nearly 100 percent of Tajikistan’s electricity. | |
| Tasmania, Australia | 515,000 | Hydropower supplies 100 percent of Tasmania’s electricity. (Pending legislation plans for %200 renewable power by 2040, with the remainder to be sent to mainland Australia via submarine power cables ) | |
| Tau, American Samoa | 873 (2000) | ~100% solar power, with battery backup | |
| Tilos, Greece | 400 (winter), 3,000 (summer) | 100% wind and solar power, with battery backup | |
| Tokelau, New Zealand | 1,411 | 100% solar power, with battery backup | |
| Uruguay | 3,300,000 (2013) | 94.5% renewable electricity; wind power (and biomass and solar power) is used to stretch hydroelectricity reserves into the dry season | |
| Wildpoldsried, Bavaria, Germany | 2,512 (2013) | 500% wind, solar, hydro | |
| Yukon, Canada | 35,874 | 94% hydroelectricity |
Some other places have high percentages, for example the electricity sector in Denmark, as of 2014, is 45% wind power, with plans in place to reach 85%. The electricity sector in Canada and the electricity sector in New Zealand have even higher percentages of renewables (mostly hydro), 65% and 75% respectively, and Austria is approaching 70%.
- As of 2015, the electricity sector in Germany sometimes meets almost 100% of the electricity demand with PV and wind power, and renewable electricity is over 25%.
- Albania has 94.8% of installed capacity as hydroelectric, 5.2% diesel generator; but Albania imports 39% of its electricity.
- In 2016, Portugal achieved 100% renewable electricity for four days between 7 and 11 May, partly because efficient energy use had reduced electricity demand.
France and Sweden have low carbon intensity, since they predominantly use a mixture of nuclear power and hydroelectricity. In 2018 Scotland met 76% of their demand from renewable sources. Although electricity is currently around a quarter of world energy supply and consumption ; primary energy use is expected to decrease with renewable energy deployment as electricity use increases, as it is likely to be combined with some degree of further electrification.
Which country generates the most electricity?
Energy & Environment Energy
Premium Premium statistics Industry-specific and extensively researched technical data (partially from exclusive partnerships). A paid subscription is required for full access. Published by Jul 26, 2022 China is by far the largest electricity-generating country in the world, with over 8.5 petawatt-hours generated in 2021.
Where is the largest solar power plant in the world?
The 5 Largest Solar Power Plants in the World (2022) / / The 5 Largest Solar Power Plants in the World (2022) The 5 Largest Solar Power Plants in the World (2022) The world is undergoing a global energy transition. Countries are scrambling to build their renewable energy capacity to reduce the dependence on conventional power sources such as coal, oil, and natural gas, which are unpredictable and incredibly unsustainable. Location: Rajasthan, India Installed Capacity: 2245 MW Bhadla Solar Park is the largest solar farm in the world. The facility, spanning over an area of 14000 acres, is located in the Jodhpur district of Rajasthan. The solar farm has a capacity of 2.25 GW and required an estimated investment of over 1.3 billion dollars. Location: Qinghai province, China Installed Capacity: 2200 MW The Huanghe Hydropower Hainan Solar Park is located in the remote Qinghai province of China. It is the largest solar facility in the country, with an installed solar capacity of 2.2 GW. The facility was created by Huanghe Hydropower Development- a state-owned power generation company and required an investment of approximately 2.3 billion dollars. Location: Karnataka, India Installed Capacity: 2050 MW The Pavagada Solar Park is in the Tumkur district of Karnataka, India. The 2.05 GW facility spans an area of 13000 acres and was developed by Karnataka Solar Power Development Corporation (KSPDCL). Location: Aswan Governorate, Egypt Installed Capacity: 1650 MW Benban solar park is located in Benban village of Aswan governorate, Egypt, and is the largest solar project in Africa. Equipped with 41 solar power plants, the massive complex boasts a solar production capacity of 1.6 GW. Location: Ningxia, China Installed Capacity: 1547 MW The fifth-largest solar power plant in the world is in Ningxia, China. The facility boasts a capacity of 1547 MW and covers 1200 km of the Tengger desert. Also referred to as the Great Wall of Solar, the farm is owned by the China National Grid and Zhongwei Power Supply Company.
- It became operational in 2017 and now fuels more than 6,00,000 homes.
- Governments from across the globe are investing massive amounts of money into expanding their existing solar parks while setting up newer facilities to meet their energy goals.
- And each of them is vying for the top spot in terms of solar energy capacity.
We promise to keep you updated if the list changes! Till then share your thoughts on the world’s largest solar power plants in the comments below. Nidhi Sharma is a content developer at Ornate Solar. She has done her bachelors in English and masters in Sociology.
Prior to Ornate, Nidhi worked as a writer for different brands from health, aviation and pharma industry. She is passionate about sustainability and is currently exploring all things solar! Nidhi Sharma is a content developer at Ornate Solar. She has done her bachelors in English and masters in Sociology.
Prior to Ornate, Nidhi worked as a writer for different brands from health, aviation and pharma industry. She is passionate about sustainability and is currently exploring all things solar! : The 5 Largest Solar Power Plants in the World (2022)
Which country produces largest solar energy in the world in 2022?
The Top 5 Solar Countries in the World (2022) The world is facing an energy crisis. The supply of conventional resources such as coal, oil, and gas has become unpredictable due to rising geopolitical tensions. But the power demand refuses to abate. It is unsurprising then, that countries are scrambling to build their renewable energy capacity.
- One resource that leads this energy shift is solar power.
- It is the 3rd largest renewable energy resource, after wind and hydropower.
- Solar energy’s economic viability along with vast availability contributed to its unprecedented growth in recent years.
- According to an IRENA report, global solar PV generation increased by a record 179 TWh in 2021 (a 22% rise) from the previous year.
The global solar capacity amounted to 849 GW in 2021. Further, it accounted for 3.6% of the world’s energy generation. On the global scale of solar capability, some countries are undoubtedly performing better than others. Here are the top 5 solar countries in the world, based on their installed capacity: Huanghe Hydropower Hainan Solar Park, China China’s solar prowess is staggering. With a whopping 340 GW, the country is the largest producer of solar energy in the world. In the first six months of 2022, the nation has deployed more than 30.88 GW of Solar PV systems,
Moreover, it has set goals to install 108 GW of solar power this year. The nation is also the largest manufacturer of solar equipment. According to reports, China has invested over 50 billion USD, in new PV supply capacity since 2011, This figure is ten times greater than the amount invested by the entire continent of Europe in the same industry.
China’s share in all manufacturing phases of solar panels exceeds 80%. Today, subsidy-free solar power has become cheaper than coal in China. In addition, the country has set ambitious goals for the future. In its 14th Five-Year Plan released in June 2022; China has targeted that 33% of electricity generated in 2025 will come from renewables, Topaz Solar Farm, USA With 102.9 GW of solar power capacity, the USA stands second in the list of top solar countries. From a measly capacity of 0.34 GW in 2008, the nation has come a long way in the solar domain. Presently, 3% of the US’s electricity is sourced through solar power plants.
Moreover, US’s solar potential is huge. According to a report by National Renewable Energy Laboratory, an area the size of Lake Michigan (around 22,000 sq. miles), covered with solar panels, would be enough to power the entire country. If the efficiency of the panels is raised, this area could be reduced by half.
The solar market in the US is also growing at a rapid rate. Sources claim that solar jobs have increased by 167% in the nation. To encourage the switch to solar, the nation is steadily introducing favourable policies. Moreover, the administration under president Joe Biden has announced a goal of reaching 100% clean energy by 2025, Setouchi Kirei Mega Solar Power Plant, Okayama, Japan A few years ago, Japan stood 4th in terms of solar power capacity. Now, with a cumulative capacity of 78.5 GW, the nation is occupying the 3rd spot, Solar Power accounted for close to 10% of Japan’s total electricity generation in 2021,
This is an excellent growth, compared to the mere 0.3% of the energy mix in 2010. The nation is considered the fastest growing in terms of promoting Solar PV, Further, with 45% of the world’s photovoltaic cells manufactured in Japan, the country leads the world in the photovoltaic market. As per Japan’s Environment and Trade Ministries, the nation is looking to add 20 GW of solar capacity in the next 8 years, to reach the 108 GW target.
To achieve this target, the Japanese government is planning to install solar panels in over 50% of central government and municipal buildings. Neuhardenberg solar power plant, Germany Germany leads the European countries in renewable energy. As of 2021, the nation’s solar capacity was 59 GW, In the first half of 2022, Germany added more than 3.8 GW of capacity to the figure. In 2021, solar power accounted for 10% of the country’s electricity consumption,
The Ukraine war has created tension between many European nations and Russia. Germany is also facing the consequences of this friction in the form of a shortage of gas. To manage this energy crisis, the German government is striving to introduce policies and expand the renewable energy capacity. Recently the country floated a tender to develop 1.5 GW of additional solar energy to meet the rising power demand.
Further, the government has a plan to reach net neutrality by 2045, To meet this goal, the nation has set a solar power target of installing 215 GW capacity by 2030, Bhadla Solar Park, India With an installed solar capacity of over 57 GW, India is the 5th largest solar country in the world. The country has vast solar potential, as most states of India receive sunshine for more than 300 days a year. To harness this potential, the Indian government is constantly churning out policies and initiatives that encourage the shift to solar among the population.
The nation is also determined to reduce import dependence in the solar sector and build domestic manufacturing capabilities. In September 2022, the government of India approved the Performance Linked Initiative (PLI) scheme for High-Efficiency Solar PV panels, This decision aims to incentivize enterprises for sales of indigenously produced solar equipment and thus strengthen the Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-sufficient) initiative,
In the first half of 2022, the country, Moreover, the nation has set a target of creating 280 GW of solar power capacity by 2030. Also Read: By partnering with the best-in-class solar panel and inverter brands from around the globe, Ornate Solar has made the shift to solar, cost-effective, reliable, and easy.
What percentage of solar panels are made in the USA?
Are Most Solar Panels Made in China? – Statistically speaking, yes. China dominates the global solar panel production : 78% of the solar cells produced in 2019 were made in China. Production of solar modules and polysilicon is not far behind — with 72% and 66%, respectively.
What percentage of solar panels are made in China?
An industry on the skids is suddenly positioned for a major resurgence – An employee performs quality control on a string of photovoltaic cells on the assembly floor at the Qcells solar panel manufacturing facility in Dalton, Ga. (Dustin Chambers) DALTON, Ga. — The gamble by a company here churning out large volumes of solar panels was starting to look risky.
- Its plan to be a launchpad for a solar manufacturing resurgence was already audacious in an industry so dominated by China, whose cheap products drove the closure of many American solar plants.
- Government investment championed by the White House was supposed to position domestic firms to compete, but a paralyzed Congress was refusing to write the check.
But the wager in Dalton by Qcells North America may have paid off with an ambitious climate package now on a path to President Biden’s desk. The bill, negotiated in part by Sen. Joe Manchin III (D-W.Va.), would deliver billions of dollars in tax and other incentives to U.S.
- Solar manufacturers, equipping them with government support on a scale of those China used to corner the market.
- This is a historic climate bill, but it’s also one of — if not the — most significant industrial policy bills of this era,” said Harry Godfrey, who oversees domestic manufacturing policy for Advanced Energy Economy, a trade group that represents clean tech companies eager to ramp up U.S.
production. The boost to the industry comes at a time of solar power reckoning for America. Bringing back domestic production is no longer a nostalgic aspiration. It is a national security issue, Solar panels produce some of the cheapest electricity, a significant asset at a time of skyrocketing energy prices and aggressive climate targets.
China’s domination over the solar supply chain also poses an ever-growing threat to America’s energy independence and financial health. “This is a globally competitive market the U.S. has fallen behind in,” said Scott Moskowitz, who heads marketing strategy at Qcells North America, a subsidiary of Korean industrial giant Hanwha.
“This country never had policies that created the environment possible to compete. This legislation changes things a lot. It will make companies want to invest in new manufacturing in Georgia and around the country.” Qcells established a manufacturing beach head in Dalton in 2018 at the urging of local officials.
- Its panels are assembled using wafers and cells from abroad, but the company aims to help reseed a domestic supply chain so that every component of a solar panel can be made in America.
- There is no shortage of demand,” said Moskowitz, standing on the floor of the sprawling Dalton factory.
- It is just a question of whether factories like this can exist in this country and be profitable.” The energy security risks created by the collapse of the U.S.
solar manufacturing industry over the past decade have come into sharp focus amid power shortages gripping the globe, propelled by Russia’s control over key energy sources and supply chains. But the current state of play in solar production leaves America’s energy transition vulnerable to the whims of another rival superpower.
- Project developers here were willing to rely on China for panels and never thought through the long game and how overly dependent we would become,” said Mark Widmar, chief executive of First Solar, one of the only solar manufacturing giants still operating in the United States.
- We are at a vulnerable inflection point.
If we can’t figure this out now, I’m not sure we will be at a place where we can have a domestic industry.” Widmar said on an earnings call Thursday that if the climate package passes, his company will look to expand more aggressively in the United States.
China now controls more than 80 percent of solar panel production. That includes commanding 95 percent of the production of certain elements that are essential to making a panel, including polysilicon and wafers. Much of the polysilicon supply for the world’s solar panels is processed in China’s Xinjiang region, where companies are accused of using forced labor.
The International Energy Agency warns in a new report that the lack of diverse supply chains leaves the United States and other nations on a shaky energy foundation. China’s strategy of investing more than $50 billion to dominate the solar supply chain is paying enormous dividends for that country.
As American companies struggle to bring new plants online that can supply enough panels for a few gigawatts of energy, a single facility now being built in China will churn out 20 gigawatts of solar capacity — accounting for 1 in 7 panels produced worldwide. It’s a harsh reality for the United States, where the modern solar cell was invented and which not long ago was positioned to lead the industry.
Seven factories have closed here since 2018 alone. The challenges facing the industry are underscored by an ongoing fight between the companies that make panels and the U.S. developers that buy and install them. The meager U.S. production has strained alliances in the solar world.
- Domestic manufacturers want the Biden administration to enforce trade laws that would restrict the flow of Chinese panels into the United States.
- Developers and installers protested a Commerce Department investigation into potential tariff dodging, warning there are so few American-made panels that it would trigger shortages, soaring prices and the cancellation of big projects.
The investigation threatened to choke off the flow of solar panels into the United States, jeopardizing Biden’s clean energy goals. Last month, the White House moved to avoid a shortage by exempting American purchasers of potentially illegally imported panels from penalties for two years.
The move landed like a gut punch to manufacturers. They were unimpressed by the accompanying measures Biden unveiled at the time to boost American manufacturing plants, which included engaging the Defense Production Act. But the outlook brightened dramatically for American manufacturers with the revival of the climate bill, emerging Thursday night after a turnabout by Manchin.
The senator’s earlier opposition had appeared to doom the legislation. Biden administration officials say the incentives give the American manufacturing industry motivation to ramp up production during the stretch in which tariff enforcement has been relaxed, showing that it can meet the intense demand for panels.
At that point, under the White House road map, the federal government would resume aggressive enforcement of trade laws, further boosting the industry. Big U.S. purchasers of solar panels say they remain ready to step up and buy American. One group of solar project developers has pledged to spend $6 billion on American made panels over the next four years.
The group says it wants to send a market signal that if the industry scales up domestically, there are ready and willing buyers. “We are trying to jump-start this domestic supply chain,” said Leo Moreno, president of AES Clean Energy. “It is a very large commitment from leading players.” The plan hinges on the approval of the tax and other incentives in the climate package.
- For this to be successful over the long term, suppliers need to scale up,” Moreno said.
- If the subsidies end up not passing, they will not be able to.” One company already scaling is First Solar, a firm that built its business plan around Biden’s climate agenda.
- It is building its third plant in Ohio and uses a different technology than others in the industry, making thin film modules that can be manufactured without the imported cells and wafers used in 95 percent of solar panel production.
Back in Dalton, the same community that sent anti-solar crusader Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R) to Congress is rooting for the subsidies. Dalton has long been known as the “flooring capital of the world,” a nod to the many textile manufacturing operations there that make carpet and other materials used in home building.
Yet it is eager to diversify, looking to lure industries that are less vulnerable to the fluctuations of the housing market. “We want them to be able to make solar panels here and be just as competitive as anywhere else,” said Carl Campbell, executive director of the regional development authority, which lobbied Qcells to locate in Dalton.
“We’ve had a lot of people call and say, ‘Hey, how can I get involved? I want to help build something that is going to make a difference.’ Regardless of where you fall politically, I think everybody can support good jobs with good benefits to do something that might help our world.”
Who is the largest solar company?
Largest Solar Companies Research Summary The largest solar company in the U.S. is NextEra Energy, with a revenue of $17.069 billion and an market share of 2.37%. As of 2022, the U.S. solar industry has a market size of $12 billion.U.S. jobs like Solar Technician will grow by 63% through 2028.
