L R AS Published on Monday 16 October 2023 - n° 461 - Categories:News of the Month
This week's highlights for 15 October 2023
This week's news for 15 October 2023
The main point ...there are two ways to grow: attracting from abroad or relying on your own strengths...
. The revival of the European photovoltaic industry has been the subject of debate for almost two years. Everyone is well aware that we need to move away from our dependence on Chinese producers. But how can this be done? The American example is well known and appeals to all European manufacturers.
Because of its history, India has chosen another path, that of national stimulation based on customs protection, aid and subsidies, and national preference for production and consumption. It takes longer, but it works.
L R AS Published on Monday 16 October 2023 - n° 461 - Categories:PV Watch
A look at the Indian example in photovoltaics
The revival of the European photovoltaic industry has been the subject of debate for almost two years. Everyone is well aware that we need to move away from our dependence on Chinese producers. But how can this be done? The American example is well known and appeals to all European manufacturers.
Because of its history, India has chosen another path, that of national stimulation based on customs protection, aid and subsidies, and national preference. It takes longer, but it works.
L R AS Published on Monday 9 October 2023 - n° 460 - Categories:News of the Month
This week's highlights for 8 October
Highlight :
The photovoltaic crisis in Europe is a direct consequence of the installation of new production capacity in China. To avoid keeping too much in stock, Chinese manufacturers have forced European importers to make major purchases in excess of the market's capacity to absorb them. This has resulted in a doubling of supply in 2022. In 2023, imports could also reach twice the level of installations. This has been combined with a fall in prices, which has led to the asphyxiation of European producers unable to compete with particularly low prices. As a result, importers have had to pay a price for the fall in prices. This follows the extra costs imposed by the Chinese during the covid by refusing to import foreign silicon, causing the closure of many factories around the world.
The actions of the Chinese during the recent period should be mentioned, as they have cost Europe several tens of billions of dollars in damage or financial losses. This calls for vigilance.
.
L R AS Published on Monday 9 October 2023 - n° 460 - Categories:PV Watch
A look at the European price paid to China in PV
The photovoltaic crisis in Europe is a direct consequence of the installation of new production capacity in China. To avoid keeping too much in stock, Chinese manufacturers have forced European importers to make major purchases that exceed the market's capacity to absorb them. This has resulted in a doubling of supply in 2022. In 2023, imports could also reach double the level of installations. This has been combined with a fall in prices, which has led to the asphyxiation of European producers unable to compete with particularly low prices. As a result, importers have had to pay a price for the fall in prices. This follows the extra costs imposed by the Chinese during the covid by refusing to import foreign silicon, causing the closure of many factories around the world.
The actions of the Chinese during the recent period should be mentioned, as they have cost Europe several tens of billions of dollars in damage or financial losses. This calls for vigilance.
L R AS Published on Monday 2 October 2023 - n° 459 - Categories:News of the Month
This week's highlights for 1 October
HighlightVirtual power stations
To say that "virtual power plants are the future" may be a provocative statement, given that they are in the minority, given that Sonnen's shareholder wants to get rid of them, given that they seem to be an attempt with no future. But when it comes from the founder of SunEdison, it makes you think, because he knows what he's talking about.
L R AS Published on Monday 2 October 2023 - n° 459 - Categories:PV Watch
Translation not available
L R AS Published on Monday 25 September 2023 - n° 458 - Categories:News of the Month
Highlights of the week to 24 September
Highlight :
Should Chinese products be allowed to enter Europe freely in order to favour installers and therefore the public? Or is it preferable to save the European industry, which after a few years will be able to sell panels at a price comparable to that of Chinese products? The debate is stirring the photovoltaic world
A look back at the period 2009-2013 or liberalism versus protectionism
L R AS Published on Monday 25 September 2023 - n° 458 - Categories:PV Watch
A look at the period 2009-2013 or liberalism versus protectionism
Should we favour photovoltaic installations by buying low-cost panels from China, or should we favour European production by paying a higher price? The debate has been raging for a long time. In 2023, the debate is set to flare up again as European warehouses become jammed with Chinese products that have to be sold at lower prices.
A German author reconstructs the history of photovoltaics over the period 2009-2013 and seeks to show that it was wise to favour installers rather than manufacturers. He invokes free trade to support his thesis.
Faced with the same dilemma, two countries have adopted attitudes that run counter to liberalism: the United States and India. They show that if the initial period of protection is synonymous with higher prices, there is no reason why prices should not fall rapidly to match Chinese prices. This position provides industrial independence, and a spread of activity far beyond photovoltaics alone. The bottom line is an increase in gross domestic product.
L R AS Published on Monday 18 September 2023 - n° 457 - Categories:News of the Month
Highlights of the week to 17 September
Highlight :
The State of the European Union speech showed better than anything what the Commission has become: a self-satisfaction that will stun economic and social players who are facing serious worries, especially from China. Photovoltaic manufacturers in the European industry will be curious to know that the President remembers the invasion of Chinese panels around 2010, but that she is not announcing anything, even though they are in a comparable situation.
They will be astonished that a committee of enquiry has been set up into Chinese practices in the field of electric vehicles, when their habit is to develop an economic sector extensively and then invade foreign competitors at low cost. By the time the Commission has established this method, manufacturers will have something to worry about.
Having failed to come up with any response to China's attitude, which was its primary role, the Commission has taken it upon itself to look after Europeans, by introducing directives, standards and administrative measures.
L R AS Published on Monday 18 September 2023 - n° 457 - Categories:PV Watch
A look at the State of the Union speech
The State of the European Union speech showed better than anything what the Commission has become: a self-congratulation that will stun economic and social players who are facing serious problems, especially from China. Photovoltaic manufacturers in the European industry will be curious to know that the President remembers the invasion of Chinese panels around 2010, but that she is not announcing anything, even though they are in a comparable situation.
They will be astonished that a committee of enquiry has been set up into Chinese practices in the field of electric vehicles, when their habit is to develop an economic sector extensively and then invade foreign competitors at low cost. By the time the Commission has established this method, manufacturers will have something to worry about.
Having failed to come up with any response to China's attitude, which was its primary role, the Commission has taken it upon itself to look after Europeans, by introducing directives, standards and administrative measures.
L R AS Published on Monday 11 September 2023 - n° 456 - Categories:News of the Month
What to remember this week to 10 September 2023
To our readers,
The price of the subscription to Actualité du Solaire has remained unchanged for seven years. Due to general inflation, we have had to raise the price to €399 per year, instead of the current €359.
We are maintaining the old rates for subscribers who want to take advantage of the prices before the increase, during the month of September. This new subscription will replace the current one when it expires.
We hope you understand
X. Laurent
.
Highlight Will excess production capacity lead to an industrial crisis in China?
When we compare world demand for panels with production capacity, there is a ratio of one to two and even 1 to 3. Despite this imbalance, manufacturers are used to managing this gap and keeping prices under control. However, 2023, and specifically the second half of the year, will be the period when excess production could lead to a significant fall in prices and possibly to a crisis of overproduction.
1st important point :
The gradual mastery of N-type technology, and specifically of TOPCon, will boost the profitability of these products compared with PERC.
. Profitability and prospects for N-type products
2nd secondary point :
Chinese manufacturers' plans to increase capacity, launched in 2022, will come on stream in 2023,
. Panel production capacity to double by 2023; 1 TW reached by 2024!
3rd point (subsidiary) :
Europe is still the main destination for Chinese exports; only there are already too many goods in the queue.
. Chinese panel exports fell in July compared with June and July 2022.
Other interesting points : .
A cacophony over the implementation of the Renewable Energy Acceleration Act
German production and consumption in the first half of the year
BloombergNEF drastically raises its 2023 installation forecasts
L R AS Published on Monday 11 September 2023 - n° 456 - Categories:PV Watch
A look at the risk of global overproduction of solar panels
When global demand for panels is compared with production capacity, there is a ratio of one to two and even 1 to 3. Despite this imbalance, manufacturers are used to managing this gap and keeping prices under control. However, 2023, and specifically the second half of the year, will be the period when excess production could lead to a significant drop in prices and perhaps to a crisis of overproduction.
L R AS Published on Monday 4 September 2023 - n° 455 - Categories:News of the Month
Key events for the week ending 3 September 2023
Highlight Europe has given priority to the installation of panels and neglected their production. The situation was favourable in 2022, but is no longer so
The Russo-Ukrainian war marked a turning point in the global photovoltaic industry: Europe focused on panel installations, while India and the United States implemented a policy of industrialisation and panel production. The European Union has missed the opportunity for industrial independence. It is now dependent on Chinese industry. The latter is currently launching an offensive to asphyxiate the few small manufacturers that remain and, above all, to kill off any hint of the emergence of serious competitors by slashing prices. China wants to retain a captive market.
L R AS Published on Sunday 3 September 2023 - n° 455 - Categories:PV Watch
A look at a missed opportunity
The Russo-Ukrainian war marked a turning point in the global photovoltaic industry: Europe turned its attention to panel installations, while India and the United States implemented a policy of industrialisation and panel production. The European Union has missed the opportunity for industrial independence. It is now dependent on Chinese industry. The latter is currently launching an offensive to asphyxiate the few small manufacturers that remain and, above all, to kill off any hint of the emergence of serious competitors by slashing prices. China wants to retain a captive market.
AS Published on Sunday 27 August 2023 - n° 454 - Categories:PV Watch
A look back at an anniversary not to be missed
The US Inflation Reduction Act was introduced in mid-August 2022. It was well received at the time. It is still at the root of many investment decisions in the United States. Projects are multiplying; money is spreading throughout the economy; all regions feel stimulated. This law transformed the country's future.