According to Zhao Yuwen, head of the China Renewable Energy Society's photovoltaic committee, the National Energy Commission of the National Development and Reform Commission is considering following the lead of developed nations in offering subsidised rates for solar energy.
The subsidy will be paid for by a renewable energy fund collected from electricity end-users in the form of small surcharge based on usage volume, Zhao said. The same fund has been tapped to subsidise other clean energy projects including wind power.
Beijing plans a preferential tariff of 1.09 yuan per kilowatt-hour for solar projects, according to local media reports early this month. This comes as a boon for China-based solar companies such as LDK Solar, Renesola, Canadian Solar, Trina Solar, JA Solar Holding, China Sunergy, Suntech Power, Solarfun Power and Yingli Green Energy, who are struggling during the global economic downturn.
China had about 100 megawatts (MW) of installed solar capacity at the end of 2007, with 47 MW added during 2008. Meanwhile, solar installations in China must meet energy conversion efficiency guidelines: 16% for mono-crystalline-based PV modules, 14% for multi-crystalline-based PV modules, and 6% for amorphous silicon-based PV modules.
