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Sorry US, China Is World's Solar Powerhouse

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 25, 2009 7:40 AM CDT
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(Newser) – If the US wants to be, in Barack Obama’s words, the “world’s leading exporter of renewable energy,” it’s got a lot of catching up to do. China is the king of solar, and it’s moving aggressively on the US market, the New York Times reports. Chinese solar companies have cut the price of panels in half, with one company even selling them at a loss to Americans to build market share.

Next, the companies plan to build factories in the US to bypass protectionist laws, following much the same model as Japanese automakers. Though the Obama administration would like to boost the US industry, Chinese companies have cheap loans and nigh-unbeatable labor costs—a recent college engineering graduate there makes $7,000 a year. “I don’t see Europe or the United States becoming major producers of solar products,” says one US solar executive. “They’ll be consumers.”

US Secretary of Energy Stephen Chu, right looks at the solar panels as they visit the Future House, a clean energy resident development project in Beijing, July 16, 2009.
US Secretary of Energy Stephen Chu, right looks at the solar panels as they visit the Future House, a clean energy resident development project in Beijing, July 16, 2009.   (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Employees assemble solar panels at a factory of Yingli Green Energy Holding Co., Ltd. in Baoding, June 24, 2009.
Employees assemble solar panels at a factory of Yingli Green Energy Holding Co., Ltd. in Baoding, June 24, 2009.   (AP Photo/Alexander F. Yuan)
Suntech's new solar-powered headquarters in Wuxi, China.
Suntech's new solar-powered headquarters in Wuxi, China.
A solar panel is seen on top a subway station information pillar stand against the hazy skyline in Beijing, China, Wednesday, July 22, 2009.
A solar panel is seen on top a subway station information pillar stand against the hazy skyline in Beijing, China, Wednesday, July 22, 2009.   (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 12 comments
Mumbhay
Aug 26, 2009 12:27 PM CDT
@Unaffiliated - You are too much..
riffran
Aug 26, 2009 2:56 AM CDT
if it gets affordable solar panels in my backyard..I say hell yeah. If the competition is too much step it up
Snarfeh
Aug 26, 2009 1:03 AM CDT
Anyone ever read "Slapstick" by Kurt Vonnegut? In it, China has zero interest in America because we don't do anything new....funny how some sci-fi & fantasy writers nail something years ahead of the advent....

 
China • energy • renewable energy • solar power • solar panels

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