Africa Sees 60 Percent Surge In Chinese Solar Panel Imports Driving Renewable Energy Growth

12 comments

1. If they’re dumping solar panels that’s a great place to dump them.

   Edit: there’s a lot of talk that China “dumps” products that are govt. subsidized. Dumping has a negative connotation but in this case it’s a good thing for Africa and the planet.

2. Best way to dump fossil fuels!!

   “Countries that import PV modules and inverters from China gain three to five domestic jobs for every manufacturing job created in China, and they capture more than half of the added value along the entire PV value chain.” https://www.linkedin.com/posts/pietro-peter-altermatt-b2798216_pvsec-activity-7394733260309942274-rxBc

3. Not surprising given how cheap solar has become and China’s domestic oversupply, plus extensive reliance on expensive diesel generation in much of Africa.
   [Recent report by Ember suggests that solar panels can be paid off in as little 6 months when replacing diesel generation.](https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/the-first-evidence-of-a-take-off-in-solar-in-africa/)

4. Another win for China. When will the Republican Regime allow the US to get into the game? They are not making America great, only themselves richer.

5. Solar adoption in Africa includes utility scale installation, but the distributed solar to people who have never been on the grid is fascinating. Several companies offer[pay as you go solar to people without credit scores or bank accounts.](https://www.wri.org/insights/pay-you-go-solar-could-electrify-rural-africa). The inverter has a cell radio and it checks once a month to make sure the payment was made and goes into a low power mode that only charges cell phone if not. Repayment rates are well over 90% and the consumer owns it completely after 30-40 months. Solar is also displacing a lot of generator fuel for irrigation pumping and refrigerators.

   There is a story here about partly leapfrogging the carbon economy, just as much of Africa leapfrogged land line phones. But the more immediate story is that very low income people are making long term investments. Many people in rural Africa have invested in generators, and they repeatedly invest in fuel because it is profitable and substantially improves their lives. This is going to be a significant long term improvement in their economic well being.

6. Exactly. And much cheaper energy to boot!

   India is one of the most coal-dependent nations on Earth. A new analysis reveals that quitting coal sooner could actually make the country richer. Researchers calculate that closing coal-fired power plants ahead of schedule could unlock huge net economic gains. https://www.earth.com/news/india-could-earn-more-than-170-billion-if-it-closes-its-coal-fired-power-plants/

7. Horrible American energy policies are actually helping the rest of the world move to renewables because China understands soft power and is determined to use their advances in technology to reduce the control of the petrodollar. How you view China doesn’t matter. They are currently doing more for the future of humanity than anyone else is.

8. “Countries that import PV modules and inverters from China gain three to five domestic jobs for every manufacturing job created in China, and they capture more than half of the added value along the entire PV value chain.” https://www.linkedin.com/posts/pietro-peter-altermatt-b2798216_pvsec-activity-7394733260309942274-rxBc

9. Weird. Trump said other countries would give up their renewable energy programs and buy US LNG instead. But he’s a fucking moron.

10. This could have been the US. [Jimmy Carter tired](https://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/jimmy-carter-green-energy-visionary) setup the US for success but everybody spat in his face and elected a guy with dementia who was on TV. Funny how things always come back into style.

11. I the meantime Trumpanzees and the rest of the Republican believers will continue to push the same energy used in the 1800’s and prior. 

12. Know what – good for them. Even if the US fucked itself on renewables, it’s good to see the world building itself up without slowing. The world should not be beholden to the shitty policies and economy of the US. 

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