The Chinese solar market is in the fast lane, growing over 130% in 2010 year over year. The European Photovoltaics Industry Association (EPIA) expects total installed capacity to exceed the one-gigawatt (GW) threshold by the end of this year. From December 7-9, 2011, Chinese and international companies wanting to drive growth in the Chinese market are meeting at Intersolar China, China’s international exhibition and conference for the solar indus- try. Intersolar China provides a joint platform to present technologies and companies from the entire solar industry supply chain spanning the globe. It brings together manu- facturers, suppliers, wholesalers, service providers and government representatives un- der one roof at the China National Convention Center in Beijing.
There is a shake-up underway in the global solar market. While European core markets such as Germany, Italy and Spain are up against state funding cuts, slump in demand and over capacity, emerging markets are preparing to expand their foothold in the international solar market. China on course to become a gigawatt market The Chinese photovoltaics market experienced a veritable boom in 2010, with installed capacity growing by 520 megawatts (MW) thanks to the Chinese government’s “Golden Sun” program. Total installed capacity in China thus reached 893 MW, jumping more than two fold.
The European Pho- tovoltaic Association (EPIA) expects this figure to grow by between 750 MW and one GW in 2011. China would then cross the gigawatt threshold and rise into the premier league of sunny states. However, China has set its sights beyond this, aiming for 5 GW of solar capacity by 2015, and 20 to 30 GW by 2020.
