Solar panels — 80% of which are made in China — are so cheap that they’re now being used to line garden fences in Germany and the Netherlands, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday.
Solar panels — 80% of which are made in China — are so cheap that they’re now being used to line garden fences in Germany and the Netherlands, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday.
I think there are a number of factors at play here.
While flooded the market is somewhat fair it isn’t the whole story.
Supply is exceeding demand and that is causing a drop in prices. But an excess I’m supply and price reduction makes it’s own demand. I think supply will keep increasing with prices coming down and demand growing massively.
China absoultely does illegal and shady business practises. They do goverment sanctioned predatory pricing to kill of competition. Like they did with Germany, but having said it’s almost certain their costs now are way below the price they set that killed the German competition. They also do things like monopolise raw materials, steal technology and force African countries into giving them below market rate resources.
China does have a lot to answer for. But in terms of the subsidisation of the solar industry (as well as battery) I think they should be commended. My opinion here: I do think if the EU did this then America would still call it un fair market practise (which it is but in this case it is good). But if America did it and became the largest supplier of solar panels to the world they would act like they are great and the only reason other countries can’t do it is because they aren’t as good as America.