Japan to overtake China

China had a target to install 14 GW of solar power by 2014. However the country has suffered from delays in solar projects currently, while Japan is fast treading towards solar goal of 10.3 – 11.9 GW solar installations. China is currently focusing more on rooftop installations. It plans to have more than 8 GW of distributed solar power by 2014. Thus the policy makers are now delaying the utility solar projects.

The director general of the China’s National Center for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation commented China’s total of both utility and DG solar installations will be approximately 12 GW by end of 2014. In contrast, Q3 2013 saw a massive 8.9 GW of solar installation. According to National Energy Administration of China, just 3.79 GW was grid connected during the nine months of 2014 and around 20 GW of solar PV capacity installed at present.

China is a big market for solar and has housed many big solar companies like Trina Solar, Jinko Solar, Yingli Green Energy and others. The potential delays in project implementation could affect the country’s small panel producers. Bigger players should remain unaffected because of their geographical diversification and presence in the other higher ASP markets. The solar industry is poised to grow at double digits in the coming years. China and Japan are set to be the major solar hubs. The Chinese government recently passed various renewable energy policies to boost solar energy in the country. However, given the current scenario it looks like Japan might emerge as the winner between the two currently.

Source: PV Magazine

Li Junfeng, director general of the China’s National Center for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation, has warned that “there isn’t enough time” for China to achieve its 14 GW target, adding that Japan is on course to end the year on between 10.3 – 11.9 GW – which could be enough for the country to steal top spot.