Solar radiation is the lifeblood of the earth. Every day, the sun emits enough energy to sustain billions of plants and animals. Everything from the tiniest skin cell to the tallest mountain is dependent on its daily rise and fall, and the same sun rises in New York City as sets in New Delhi. And every hour that sun provides enough energy to power every city, village and home on the planet.

Because the sun is always shining somewhere, and because it knows no prejudice or hierarchy, solar power is as useful in the wealthy and insulated First World as in the stark and shortchanged Third World. In fact, many developing countries, especially those in Africa and Asia, have some of the best solar insulation in the world. In homes and villages far from transmission cables, fresh water and hospitals, the appeal of wireless, renewable energy is all the greater.

Solar power is already having some effect on the developing world. Solar lanterns are being used in India to read and study after dark. Students in Uganda are learning under solar rooftops. And communities in South America are drinking safe, potable water from solar-powered pumps. Much of these initial successes are thanks to individuals and nonprofit groups aiming to spread the solar wealth. Solar Aid and Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF) are two organizations leading in that fight. (more…)

It’s hard to argue that China is not making some definite progress in solar energy. China is the world’s leading solar cell and component manufacturer and has been in a head-to-head race with the United States to overtake Germany as the world’s leading solar market.

Himin Solar Energy Group Power Plant. Photo Credit: TradeVV

Any American shopper knows that China is a hub for manufacturing of all kinds, and solar power panels are no different. Low US import tariffs and low labor costs have facilitated a massive emigration of American companies to Chinese labor markets. Major US players in solar electricity, including First Solar and SunPower, have manufacturing plants in China.

Manufacturing as Progress?

But does domination in solar manufacturing necessarily dictate progress in solar energy? Arguably yes and no. The yes side is simple – the solar industry wouldn’t be what it is today without China’s manufacturing prowess, not to mention their preexisting capacity for producing solar-grade polysilicon. However, even solar manufacturing plants can pollute, as China has unfortunately illustrated, and just because you manufacture solar equipment doesn’t mean you use it. China doesn’t even appear on a SolarBuzz chart of PV market demand in 2008. (more…)

A ruling by the New York U.S. Customs Office seems to have shaken up the solar industry. The NY office deemed that because of a type of bypass diode, which allows energy to flow around cells that are shaded, the Chinese-manufactured PV panel technically classifies as a generator and is subject to an import tariff.

The solar industry has prepared itself to oppose this ruling, ultimately willing to take it to the U.S. Court of International Trade if the industry’s attempts at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection headquarters in Washington fail.  The current ruling is baffling because the bypass diodes are necessary safety functions and have always been on PV panels.

So why is this scary for the industry?  If the tariff is imposed, it may prompt other countries to do the same to protect their own domestic solar industries, thereby making it much harder for U.S.-based companies to compete in the global solar manufacturing market.

For U.S. solar panel importers, things could get scarier a lot sooner.  “In the worst case scenario, U.S. importers of solar panels could face some $70 million in tariffs and penalties for product already imported this year.”  In a growing market, this may be a back breaker for companies just molting their baby feathers. (more…)