China sees the light with solar subsidy for large systems

March 26, 2009
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

The Chinese Treasury department has reviewed its solar program with the introduction of a new solar PV subsidy program. The move, which is a temporary measure, according to Barclays Capital Solar Energy, will offer 20RMB per Watt (~$2.90/W) incentives for systems of output greater than 50kW. The uncapped plan could prove to be a huge boon for Chinese solar companies such as Suntech, Yingli, Trina Solar and JA Solar.

China’s potential for growth in the market has risen with this news, given its significantly larger domestic manufacturing footprint and the obvious support from the government.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

The Barclays report cites some projected figures for China’s market demand for the next four years:

“Our estimates currently assume 58MW/104MW/166MW/232MW demand from China in 2009/10/11/12 respectively. We believe meaningful upside potential exists if government support for domestic solar sector continues. We believe potential for ~200MW incremental demand impact exists from 2H09.”
 
The Barclays report also referred to a domestic incentive program, which will see the Treasury spur on the use of solar panels on roofs – most likely for both typical solar modules and BIPV. Further details on this aspect of the news are currently unavailable.

Read Next

Premium
November 27, 2025
Prateek Tare tells PV Tech Premium how Distributed Energy Infrastructure transformed a Superfund site into the Acton PV-plus-storage project.
November 27, 2025
The World Bank will invest in a huge 4GW, 5.12GWh solar-plus-storage complex in Malaysia, which will form part of a pan-Southeast Asian power grid initiative.
November 27, 2025
Transelectrica has published new rules for the Romanian grid, setting out time frames for auctions involving new energy generation projects.
November 27, 2025
The Solar Stewardship Initiative (SSI) and the Copper Mark have signed an agreement to pursue “responsible production and sourcing of copper across the solar energy value chain”.
November 27, 2025
RWE Clean Energy has commissioned the 200MW Stoneridge Solar PV project in Texas, which is co-located with a 100MW/200MWh BESS.
November 27, 2025
A group of California legislators has called on the state Public Utilities Commission to hold two utilities accountable for delays in connecting solar PV and energy storage capacity to the grid.

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
December 2, 2025
Málaga, Spain
Upcoming Webinars
December 4, 2025
2pm GMT / 3pm CET
Solar Media Events
February 3, 2026
London, UK
Solar Media Events
March 24, 2026
Lisbon, Portugal
Solar Media Events
June 16, 2026
Napa, USA