Update: China cuts solar subsidies by up to 22% for PV projects

The Chinese Ministry of Finance has announced that it has changed certain subsidy regulations, claiming this will speed up domestic large-scale applications of PV power generation and promote sustained and steady development of the PV industry. This will apply to grid-connected PV installations. In 2012, owners of PV installations relying on crystalline silicon modules and silicon thin-film modules will receive a tariff of CNY 7 (€0.84) per watt.

Previously, under the Golden Sun programme, investors received CNY 9 (€1.09) per watt for crystalline silicon modules and CNY 8 (€0.97) per watt for silicon thin-film modules.

The ministry will announce the tariff for off-grid PV installations at a later date.

Update:

PV-Tech has contacted the Ministry for clarification and has been advised that the subsidy changes will speed up and regulate the application process itself now that installers are required to pay 30% up front towards the installation costs compared to nothing before the above restrictions were imposed.